Is it permissible to place a sum of money, representing the price difference of an item sold as original but later found to be non-original, into a charitable branch affiliated with the company, if it is difficult to reach the original owners of the company?

Deception occurs when one creates a false impression of the existence of an intended feature in an item being sold, or conceals the absence of an existing intended feature. However, if you were unaware of the matter and did not intend to deceive the buyer, there is no sin upon you.

The company that purchased the adulterated goods has the right to return them or to claim the difference in value between the genuine and the adulterated item.

Your institution bears the consequences of the contract, and the sales representative is merely an intermediary, so no claim can be made against them.

Therefore, you must advise the officials in your institution to rectify the deception.