Anti-Piracy Seizure Information
California | Connecticut | Florida | Massachusetts | Minnesota | Missouri | Nevada | New York | Ohio | Texas | Worldwide: China | Hong Kong | Philippines | South Africa | Spain | United Kingdom
California
April 4, 2024 – California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta has announced the apprehension of a Simi Valley resident accused of peddling counterfeit luxury items from her home. The March 21, 2024 arrest followed an extensive probe by the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Investigation, which spearheaded the Los Angeles Tax Recovery in the Underground Economy (TRUE) Task Force.
The suspect allegedly marketed fake high-end products, including Rolex watches, via social media platforms. During the operation, authorities confiscated $35,000 in cash and numerous counterfeit luxury goods, with an estimated total brand value loss of $503,000.
Office of the Attorney General, State of California Department of Justice – April 4, 2024
April 7, 2024 – The LAPD seized about $140,000 worth of counterfeit Lakers jerseys and other apparel in downtown Los Angeles, outside the Crypto Arena. Vendors with wagons and tables were selling illegal merchandise.
KTLA – Josh DuBose – April 7, 2024
Connecticut
April 19, 2024 – A Connecticut resident has received a 14-month federal prison sentence for selling 145 counterfeit paintings by artist Peter Max. The judge ordered the man to pay back the $248,000 he made from selling these bogus paintings to 43 unsuspecting online buyers. He sold the counterfeits for $1,325 to $2,833, sometimes providing phony certificates of authenticity. The FBI started investigating in 2021 after they were tipped off by one of the man’s employees. Genuine Peter Max paintings typically sell for $10,000 to $20,000.
Florida
April 12, 2024 – A Delray Beach couple has admitted guilt in selling counterfeit luxury goods. Under a pre-trial agreement, they’ll pay fines and restitution and face firearm restrictions. The pair, arrested in November 2023, sold fake designer items at their salon near Delray Beach. Undercover detectives purchased knockoffs at significantly reduced prices compared to genuine products. For instance, a counterfeit Louis Vuitton wallet was offered for $85, while the authentic version retails for $1500. By accepting this agreement, the couple avoids the potential five-year prison sentences they could have faced if convicted at trial for the third-degree felony charges.
CW34 – Al Pefley – April 12, 2024
June 7, 2024 – A Worth Avenue jewelry store owner in Palm Beach was arrested for allegedly selling counterfeit designer goods. The woman offered fake luxury items at her store, Blesk Jewelry, at drastically reduced prices compared to genuine products. The investigation, initiated by a tip from the FBI, led to a police raid, which seized approximately 800 counterfeit items with a fraudulent retail value exceeding $2 million.
The merchandise included knockoffs of high-end brands like Chanel, Rolex, and Louis Vuitton. Police were surprised by the volume of counterfeit goods hidden from view, suggesting a more extensive operation than initially apparent. The store owner faces charges of selling counterfeit goods worth over $20,000. The case has shocked residents and raised concerns about consumer trust in the upscale shopping district.
CBS12 – Gershon Harrell and Katie Bente – June 7, 2024
Massachusetts
April 4, 2024 – Three men from Connecticut and Massachusetts have been charged with trafficking counterfeit luxury watches imported from China. They allegedly sold fake designer timepieces through various online platforms. Undercover agents purchased counterfeit Rolex watches for $200-$300 each during the investigation.
US Customs and Border Protection seized numerous parcels containing counterfeit watches addressed to the suspects. If authentic, the watches would have an estimated retail value of over $19 million. All three face charges of trafficking and conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit goods, with potential 10-year prison sentences. One faces an additional charge of illegal monetary transactions. The investigation involves multiple federal agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations and the IRS.
United States Attorney’s Office, District of Connecticut – April 4, 2024
Minnesota
April 3, 2024 – On April 2, US Customs and Border Protection officers in Minneapolis-St. Paul intercepted a substantial shipment of counterfeit luxury jewelry originating in Hong Kong. The package contained 364 fake designer items, including bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and rings. These pieces bore unauthorized logos of high-end brands like Hermes, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel.
Officers identified the counterfeits based on incorrect manifesting, poor quality, missing labels, and improper packaging. Destined for a Hutchinson residence, the shipment was seized for trademark infringement. Had the items been genuine, their retail value would have exceeded $482,000.
United States Attorney’s Office, District of Connecticut – April 4, 2024
Missouri
May 31, 2024 – A 46-year-old woman from Ozark, Missouri, pleaded guilty to selling counterfeit Louis Vuitton products online through her wholesale business, JOVEE, LLC. From April to December 2022, the Ozark resident sold fake bracelets, hair ties, and other items manufactured in Hong Kong and China. She admitted to ordering 200 counterfeit bracelets and selling three fake hair ties to an undercover agent. The woman earned $70,770 from these illegal activities. She faces up to 10 years in federal prison, with the exact sentence to be determined based on sentencing guidelines and other factors. Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case, and Assistant US Attorney Casey Clark is prosecuting it.
United States Attorney’s Office, Western District of Missouri – May 31, 2024
Nevada
June 21, 2024 – The Department of Justice has convicted five men for operating Jetflicks, an illegal streaming service that offers pirated TV shows. They were found guilty of copyright infringement and money laundering. Jetflicks provided over 180,000 TV episodes for $9.99 monthly, causing significant revenue loss to legitimate streaming platforms. The service, which earned millions, attempted to rebrand as an aviation media company when faced with complaints and payment issues. One of the men could face up to 48 years in prison, while the others may receive up to 5 years. Sentencing dates are pending.
The Verge – Charles Pulliam-Moore – June 21, 2024
New York
April 19, 2024 – CBP officers at the Champlain Port of Entry intercepted four shipments containing counterfeit designer watches. The seized items, if genuine, would have been worth approximately $51,800. On April 18, after a thorough examination and consulting with trademark holders, officials determined the watches were fake and seized them for Intellectual Property Rights violations. Acting Port Director Todd Bulson commended the officers’ efforts in protecting consumers and businesses from fraudulent imports.
US Customs and Border Protection – April 19, 2024
May 30, 2024 – United States CBP officers stationed at the Rochester Port of Entry seized several kinds of designer merchandise. The products bore counterfeit trademarks and included high-priced watches. Officials inspected shipments containing designer-branded clothes, watches, shoes, and handbags. One single watch had a value of $1.2 million. Officials identified all the products as inauthentic and confiscated them. The MSRP (Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price) value would have been around $1.6 million if they had been genuine.
US Customs and Border Protection – May 30, 2024
Ohio
April 18, 2024 – US CBP officers in Cincinnati intercepted a shipment that contained 227 pieces of counterfeit jewelry. This jewelry included Hermes, Tiffany & Co, Chanel, Cartier, LV, and Gucci trademarks. The shipment’s destination was Whiteville, North Carolina. If authentic, the MSRP value would have been $752,000.
WLWT – Matthew Dietz – April 18, 2024
May 11, 2024 – CBP officers in Cincinnati intercepted a shipment of 90 counterfeit championship rings representing the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, and Kansas Jayhawks. The fake rings, valued at $2.71 million if genuine, were discovered through x-ray and physical examination. An Import Specialist identified the rings as counterfeit based on poor quality, packaging, and lack of security features. The shipment originated from Hong Kong and was destined for Atchison, Kansas, using a person-to-person transaction tactic common among counterfeiters.
The Highland County Press – May 11, 2024
Texas
April 3, 2024 – A 44-year-old Houston man was arrested for trademark counterfeiting after police discovered counterfeit Apple products worth $20,000 in a stolen car. The items included iPads, AirPods, and Apple Watches, with identical serial numbers and inconsistent contents. The packages appeared genuine but contained older, used, or broken products instead of the advertised models. Tech expert Dennis Underwood noted the sophistication of such counterfeiting operations. The Houston resident has a history of similar offenses. This incident highlights the challenge consumers face in identifying counterfeit tech products as counterfeiters adapt to standard verification methods. The Harris County Precinct 5 Constable’s Office took all seized devices as evidence.
Click2Houston.com – Christian Terry and Gage Goulding – April 3, 2024
China
May 23, 2024 – Police in Taizhou, carrying out a series of raids, discovered counterfeit beauty products valued at US$120 million. They seized more than 1,200 boxes of bogus merchandise. The products mimicked top luxury brands like Christina Dior, Lancome, Estee Lauder, and Chanel. Authorities launched the investigation after reports that phony Amway items were sold online in 2023.
Global Cosmetics News – Georgina Caldwell – May 23, 2024
June 5, 2024 – Chinese authorities conducted a major raid on Pandabuy, a prominent counterfeit fashion distributor, arresting 30 individuals and seizing an enormous quantity of fake goods—enough to cover 20 football fields. The operation resulted from an international collaboration involving intellectual property experts, brand owners, and law enforcement agencies from multiple countries. Pandabuy’s extensive operations in Hangzhou, China, cater to European and US buyers. The raid significantly disrupted the company’s activities and is expected to have a lasting impact on the counterfeit market. This successful operation underscores the importance of global cooperation in combating intellectual property crimes and may lead to future actions against similar distributors.
Retail Insight Network – Mohamed Dabo – June 5, 2024
Hong Kong
May 30, 2024 – On May 23, Hong Kong customs officers seized approximately 10,000 suspected counterfeit goods. If genuine, they would have had an estimated value of about $8.9 million. This bust followed an inspection of a 40-foot container that arrived in Hong Kong from Nansha, Guangdong. Customs officials discovered clothing, watches, footwear, sunglasses, and mobile phone accessories. They were being shipped to various overseas addresses. The investigation is ongoing.
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region – May 30, 2024
Philippines
June 5, 2024 – In a major operation on May 3, 2024, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) conducted raids in Manila, seizing over 8,000 counterfeit Epson ink products, 4,000 fake packaging boxes, and 6,300 hologram labels. The confiscated items, valued at approximately ₱2.5 million (US$44,000), represent the largest Epson counterfeit ink seizure since 2022. The raid targeted two ink suppliers active in online sales and local distribution. The suppliers used fake hologram labels to deceive consumers. Epson has been collaborating with NBI to combat counterfeiting and has had several successful operations in recent years. The company emphasizes the importance of these actions to protect consumers from potentially harmful counterfeit products containing toxic substances.
South Africa
June 22, 2024 – In a series of operations targeting Johannesburg’s fashion district, South African police seized counterfeit goods worth approximately R28 million (US $1,559,545.39) over three weeks. In the most recent raid on June 16, 2024, officials confiscated over 18,000 fake items valued at R15.5 million from a shopping mall and hidden storage facilities. The seized goods included counterfeit shoes, sports apparel, handbags, caps, and perfumes. Two earlier June 7 and 13 operations yielded additional counterfeit items worth R5.8 million and R6.6 million, respectively. Other items seized were cosmetics, backpacks, watches, sunglasses, and electronic goods. The National Counterfeit Goods Unit collaborated with various agencies, including SARS, brand protectors, and private security companies, to execute these successful operations.
News24 – Noxolo Sibiya – June 22, 2024
Spain
June 1, 2024 – Spanish authorities have conducted a major operation against counterfeit goods, seizing over 11 tonnes of fake football jerseys and other items. The operation, which began in April after intercepting counterfeit jerseys from China, led to the discovery of 46,000 counterfeit items worth more than €6 million (US $6.53 million). The fake merchandise, including Spanish clubs and European national teams jerseys, was intended for distribution through various channels ahead of the Champions League final and Euro 2024. Police searched 15 trucks and uncovered a network of criminal organizations planning to sell these goods. The ongoing operation highlights the global issue of counterfeiting, which the OECD estimates represents 2.5% of world trade.
Borneo Bulletin – June 1, 2024
United Kingdom
April 5, 2024 – A London jeweler with a store in the Tower Hamlets borough received a 20-month jail sentence for selling £700,000 (more than US $907,000) worth of counterfeit Cartier, Rolex, Hublot, and Omega watches. During an inspection in 2017, officers discovered 132 fake watches and boxes, bags, and straps at the man’s shop, Star Trading. At the time, he tried to leave with a box of watches, but police stopped him. The authorities are also investigating the store’s finances and may order him to return the money he made from the illegal sales. In 2003 and 2008, the city prosecuted him for similar crimes.