Are they "real"? Depends on your definition of "real". They are from what many refer to as "night runs". This is where the legitimate factory for a manufacturer (like Ralph Lauren) gets used by factory management for not so legitimate purposes.

The management will essentially run a "third shift" (usually in the middle of the night) and bring their own fabrics in but use the various machinery of the manufacturer to run their designs. This is why you'll see the "real" Polo horse and similar designs and finishing. Smart consumers will look closely and notice that the fabrics might "look" the same but have a different feel - less stretch, cheaper buttons, etc.

The manufacturers often look the other way - its a cost of cheap labor in Asia. Short of bringing their own management in to supervise operations (which kills the cost factor) they usually just operate on a handshake where they agree to not export the goods outside the country of origin or risk having the business moved to another factory. (I ran into this quite a bit when I was in manufacturing and producing in Asian countries.)

I have purchased these night run goods before (I hesitate to call them "fakes" because they aren't necessarily). You just need to be very aware... most of what I've bought has shrunken, lost it's finish, or ended up misshapen/puckered (machines had tension settings for stitches that weren't appropriate for the cheaper fabrics being used). If you know fabrics and production well, you can shop smart, but I wouldn't look at these as a substitute for well made original goods that meet production standards.