Anti-Piracy Seizure Information
California | Florida | Georgia | Kentucky | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Missouri | New York | Ohio | Puerto Rico | Tennessee | Texas | Worldwide: Australia | China | Greece | Hong Kong | Ireland | Jamaica | South Africa | Spain | United Kingdom
California
March 25, 2024 – A California man was sentenced to 51 months in prison for leading an international counterfeit Apple product trafficking conspiracy. He and his brothers imported fake iPhones and iPads from China, and their identification numbers matched those of genuine devices under warranty. Co-conspirators exchanged these counterfeits for real products at Apple Stores across North America, resulting in a $6.1 million loss for Apple. The genuine devices were then sold in China at a premium. The sophisticated scheme involved over 10,000 counterfeit devices, leading to 12 felony convictions. Authorities seized five San Diego residences worth $4.1 million, more than $250,000 in cash, and over 200 Apple products.
United States Attorney’s Office – Southern District of California – March 25, 2024
Florida
March 12, 2024 – A Miami-Dade shop proprietor was apprehended for allegedly trafficking in stolen merchandise and possessing a substantial cache of counterfeit cigar paraphernalia valued at $1.1 million. Law enforcement and retail investigators had been probing a ring of shoplifters who were fencing stolen goods to the man’s establishment. Undercover agents, posing as fence-seekers, conducted multiple transactions, purchasing stolen items at steep discounts. A raid on the premises yielded over $28,000 in stolen wares and uncovered an elaborate counterfeiting operation for premium cigar brands, including Romeo Y Julieta, Cohiba, Bolivar, Monte Cristo, and Partagas. Authorities discovered thousands of fake cigar boxes, labels, and certificates. The counterfeiter faces an array of charges, including grand larceny and counterfeiting. He was granted bail, contingent upon proving the legitimacy of the bond’s funding source.
NBC 6 South Florida – Christian Colón and Brian Hamacher – March 12, 2024
March 14, 2024 – Two Miami-based aviation executives have admitted guilt in a scheme involving the distribution of falsely certified aircraft components to Canadian carriers and a U.S. defense contractor. The pair, exploiting their positions at Sofly Aviation Services, acquired used parts and resold them with fabricated documentation, misrepresenting compliance with FAA and EASA safety protocols. They affixed counterfeit tags to the components, deceptively indicating authorized overhaul, testing, or repair. As the Department of Defense Investigative Service emphasized, this fraudulent practice jeopardized public safety and military operations. Both individuals face potential five-year incarcerations, fines up to $250,000, and have agreed to forfeit illicitly gained assets.
Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) – Lieth Carrillo – March 14, 2024
Georgia
February 21, 2024 – Five Georgia residents are under investigation for offering knockoff goods on Facebook after District Attorney Chase Studstill filed a complaint alleging RICO violations. They’re accused of selling counterfeit luxury items on Facebook Marketplace and various Facebook stores, including wallets, handbags, scarves, luggage, and belts. Some of the counterfeit goods claimed to be high-end brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Chanel. Law enforcement seized assets, including vehicles, cash, and bank accounts totaling over $64,000 on December 14, 2023.
Yahoo! News – February 21, 2024
Kentucky
January 25, 2024 – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized 3,301 pieces of counterfeit jewelry in two shipments at the Port of Louisville. If genuine, the fake items—rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings—would be worth over $9.58 million. They were shipped from Hong Kong. The luxury brand jewelry, bearing Cartier, Gucci, Tiffani, Prada, and other trademarks, was headed to Florida and California. CBP seized the shipments for trademark infringement.
KentuckyToday – Tom Latek – January 25, 2024
Massachusetts
February 20, 2024 – A Lynn, Massachusetts, man was sentenced to more than three years in prison for art fraud involving fake Andy Warhol paintings. He listed the artwork as authentic on eBay but then delivered counterfeit paintings to the buyer. The purported Warhol art was two of his abstract “Shadows” paintings, created in 1978 and originally priced at $100,000 each. The eBay ad included a photograph of an invoice showing a $240,000 purchase price for the two paintings, with Warhol Foundation numbers. A buyer, believing the pieces to be authentic, bought them for $80,000. However, there were no official stamps and the canvasses appeared new. The seller did once have the authentic paintings, which he sold to a gallery in 2011. Replicas of the works were also sold to another victim in France in 2015. The original paintings have not been recovered. The Lynn man pled guilty to wire fraud, interstate transportation for fraud, and unlawful monetary transaction. The court ordered him to pay $475,000 in restitution.
United States Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts – February 20, 2024
Michigan
January 25, 2024 – A local Detroit business called The D Spot was raided for selling counterfeit Detroit Lions jerseys, which generally retail for $200. The owner purchased the shirts from Chinese vendors. Counterfeit products from China do not recognize U.S. trademarks and are, therefore, illegal to sell. He received citations of up to $3,000 for selling fake merchandise that may have been mistaken for authentic licensed NFL products. The store’s owner claimed that since he sold the jerseys for $60, his customers knew they weren’t genuine, so there wasn’t a problem. Clearly, law enforcement and the NFL didn’t agree.
Click On Detroit – Shawn Ley and Brandon Carr – January 25, 2024
Minnesota
February 8, 2024 – CBP officers at the International Falls, Minnesota, port of entry searched rail containers and discovered counterfeit phone accessories. They seized 2,956 counterfeit home chargers and 1,363 counterfeit phone cases. If genuine, these items would have been worth more than $2,645,000. U.S. Customs and Border Protection focuses on identifying and intercepting counterfeit goods, especially at U.S. ports of entry.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection – February 8, 2024
Missouri
March 22, 2024 – Federal agents in Cincinnati intercepted a parcel from Hong Kong destined for Atchison, Kansas, containing over 90 questionable championship rings replicating those of the Kansas City Chiefs, Royals, and Kansas Jayhawks. Had it been sold as authentic, the fraudulent memorabilia would have commanded $2.7 million. An import specialist scrutinized the rings’ substandard quality, revealing cheap materials and defects. The items were confiscated for infringing on NFL, MLB, and NCAA trademarks. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials emphasized that acquiring counterfeit sports collectibles deprives legitimate organizations of revenue and bolsters illicit enterprises, undermining the national economy. The agency lauded its Cincinnati officers for their vigilance in safeguarding domestic businesses and thwarting unlawful shipments.
KSHB – Sam Hartle – March 22, 2024
New York
February 2, 2024 – In Lewiston, New York, CBP officers seized counterfeit wireless earphones for violating intellectual property rights. The shipment, arriving at the Buffalo port of entry, contained 119 pairs of earbuds. They were found to be fake due to the unauthorized use of registered trademarks. Authentic earbuds would have sold for about $15,350. Buffalo Port Director Gaetano Cordone voiced CBP’s commitment to protecting U.S. consumers and the economy from counterfeit merchandise.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection – February 2, 2024
March 27, 2024 – Over a six-week period, U.S. Border agents confiscated an assortment of high-end imitation merchandise at the Rochester Port of Entry. The intercepted shipments comprised a range of purported luxury accessories, apparel, and footwear. Upon rigorous scrutiny, all articles were confirmed as forgeries, infringing on protected brand insignias. Consequently, the entire cache was impounded. Had these goods been legitimate, their aggregate suggested retail worth would have approached $105,202, as per manufacturers’ pricing guidelines.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection – March 27, 2024
Ohio
January 15, 2024 – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Cincinnati seized 11 shipments of counterfeit high-end jewelry worth over $6.96 million. The shipments, originating from Hong Kong, India, and Indonesia, contained items with logos from brands like Cartier, Christian Dior, Fendi, Tiffany & Co., and Versace. The counterfeit merchandise lacked intricate details and had generic packaging. Seized items included fake Van Cleef earrings, 102 Rolex watches, Gucci belts, and Franck Muller, Cartier, Tissot, and Apple watches. All seized shipments infringed on protected trademarks.
The Highland County Press – January 15, 2024
Puerto Rico
January 25, 2024 – U.S. CBP seized 116 counterfeit luxury jewelry products from one shipment that originated in China. Not only did the jewelry violate intellectual property rights—it also posed health risks due to subpar quality. If the items had been genuine, they would have had a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of approximately $700,000. In 2023, the CBP San Juan Field Office conducted 1,313 seizures. The counterfeit goods from these hauls added up to nearly $21 million.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection – January 25, 2024
February 8, 2024 – CBP officials intercepted three shipments of counterfeit luxury merchandise at the San Juan Field Office. If real, the sunglasses, jewelry, and other items would have sold for more than $1.2 million. The shipments included jewelry pieces, accessories, and apparel from brands like Van Cleef, Gucci, and Yves Saint Laurent and 240 counterfeit sunglasses with Versace, Louis Vuitton, and Cartier trademarks. The shipments originated in Hong Kong and China.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection – February 8, 2024
Tennessee
March 7, 2024 – A retired Memphis mechanic has admitted guilt to trafficking counterfeit airbags and improperly shipping hazardous materials via commercial aircraft. He imported fake airbag components from China, assembled them, and sold the fraudulent safety devices on eBay to unwitting buyers at prices between $100 and $725. Federal agents intercepted a shipment in December 2020, leading to an investigation that revealed approximately 533 counterfeit airbags sold. Authorities seized over 2,000 fake airbags and parts from his premises. The case highlights China’s role as a major exporter of counterfeit goods. The counterfeiter faces sentencing on June 11, 2024, with potential penalties including up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a $2 million fine, and three years of supervised release.
United States Attorney’s Office – Western District of Tennessee
Texas
January 4, 2024 – An Amarillo man faces indictment as police seize $540,000 in counterfeit goods. The Potter County grand jury charged him with trademark counterfeiting exceeding $300,000. Undercover investigations by a private investigator and an officer revealed the sale of Rolex watches and Louis Vuitton items labeled as “replicas.” The man’s store displayed fake Chanel, Gucci, Michael Kors, and Versace items. A subsequent search warrant disclosed over 11,500 counterfeit items valued at $543,661.58. Aware of the counterfeiting, the owner instructed employees to use the term “replicas.” He now faces legal consequences, with Rolex already securing a $14 million judgment for trademark infringement.
ABC7 Amarillo – Jamie Burch – January 4, 2024
Australia
January 15, 2024 –Australia Post faces an investigation as one of its stores in Wentworthville, New South Wales, allegedly sold counterfeit designer jewelry. A visitor raised concerns about jewelry resembling luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Yves Saint Laurent, priced at $39.99 each. Over 60% of Australia Post’s outlets are Licensed Post Offices, and trading in counterfeit goods is prohibited by Australian law. The postal service is conducting an inquiry and stated that breaches of laws are taken seriously. The store manager confirmed the jewelry was bought in Vietnam.
Jeweller – Samuel Ord – January 15, 2024
China
January 30, 2024 – Chinese authorities have shut down a counterfeit Apple AirPod operation. In addition to seizing over 100,000 phony products worth $23.5 million, they also dismantled counterfeit dens, production lines, and sales locations. The confiscated items include 69,000 phony AirPods, 45,000 partially finished pieces, counterfeiting equipment, packaging, and parts. The counterfeit headphones had already spread across China, reaching Shandong, Sichuan, Hainan, and Guangdong provinces. There is no confirmation that any were shipped overseas, but U.S. Customs officials have come across similar types of fake Apple products.
PC Magazine – Kegan Mooney – January 30, 2024
February 7, 2024 – Three people in Shanghai received jail terms and fines for making and selling counterfeit Disney-branded children’s clothes. The investigation started when a suspicious buyer reported Disney underwear that she bought online in February of last year. Authorities raided a Henan warehouse and seized more than 200,000 counterfeit clothing that would have sold for 1.8 million yuan (US $250,000). The couple who ran the illegal operation said that they had an authorization letter from Disney, which they knew wasn’t genuine. The company confirmed that it never authorized the children’s clothing. Between September 2021 and February 2023, they sold more than 830,000 counterfeit products, raking in sales at 17 million yuan (US $2.3 million). They received prison sentences of 4.5 years and 3 years, plus over 8 million yuan (US $1.1 million) in fines. The store’s manager was also charged in the case.
ChinaDaily.com.cn – Quan Zhanfu – February 7, 2024
Greece
March 21, 2024 – In Thessaloniki, Greece, the Development Ministry fined six local businesses a total of 243,000 euros ($260,435) for dealing in counterfeit goods. Inspections by the Market Control Interagency Unit (DI.M.E.A.) turned up more than 34,600 bogus products, which were seized and destroyed. The development minister said they would continue to inspect all areas of commerce to protect consumers and prevent unfair competition resulting from these illegal activities.
ekathimerini.com – March 21, 2024
Hong Kong
February 7, 2024 – On January 20, Hong Kong customs inspectors seized approximately 9,400 suspected counterfeit products. Their estimated worth was $1.1 million. The officials pulled over a truck and discovered the items they believed to be fake—footwear, watches, clothing, handbags, and mobile phone accessories. A 44-year-old man was arrested. It is believed that the counterfeit merchandise was destined to be shipped overseas by air freight. The individual was released on bail, and the investigation is ongoing
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region – February 7, 2024
Ireland
January 14, 2024 – A man in County Antrim, suspected of selling counterfeit goods, has been released on bail following a police operation. The seizure included clothing, footwear, and electrical items, potentially causing a loss of £130,000 (approximately $165,000) to affected brands. The 36-year-old was arrested in Glenavy.
Jamaica
January 17, 2024 – In a major operation in downtown Kingston, Jamaica, law enforcement officials from the Counter Terrorism and Organized Crime Investigations Branch (CTOC) seized counterfeit goods valued at approximately $100 million. The raid, conducted at a business establishment on Barry Street, primarily uncovered fake Crocs footwear, which made up about 95% of the confiscated items. Other counterfeit brands like Gucci, Adidas, and Louis Vuitton were also found. Deputy Superintendent Victor Barrett highlighted the deceptive nature of the counterfeiting operation, noting that the fake products were being sold at prices similar to genuine items despite their inferior quality.
Jamaica Observer – January 17, 2024
South Africa
February 26, 2024 – In Marabastad, Pretoria, police seized counterfeit goods valued at more than R8 million (US $416,000), arresting 12 undocumented people. The National Counterfeit Unit, along with police, security officers, and officials from the South African Revenue Service, Brand Protectors, and the Department of Home Affairs, led the operation. The group seized suspected counterfeit clothing, caps, bags, and shoes. This was part of recent crackdowns on illegal, unauthorized products. Two weeks ago, there was a seizure in Johannesburg of items valued at R13 million (US $680,000).
South Africa’s Freight News – February 26, 2024
Spain
January 15, 2024 – A Spanish optical chain operating in multiple provinces was exposed for selling counterfeit luxury sunglasses following a complaint from an Italian manufacturer. The National Police, collaborating with Customs Surveillance, arrested an individual and seized 719 items—fake sunglasses, cases, booklets, and packaging—with a market value of €43,000 (approximately $46,800). The investigation revealed 12 establishments within the legal optician chain engaged in selling counterfeits. The accused, exploiting previous optical sector experience, infiltrated the market, posing a threat to customers trusting the authenticity of products.
EuroWeekly – John Ensor – January 15, 2024
United Kingdom
January 11, 2024 – Operation Vulcan, in collaboration with the Greater Manchester Police (GMP) Salford Challenger team, conducted morning raids in Oldham and Salford, targeting a suspected counterfeiter. A 44-year-old man was arrested in Oldham for trademark offenses, while in Salford, a warehouse on Cobden Street revealed three units containing high-value machines used for applying counterfeit logos to unbranded clothes. Large quantities of boxed counterfeit clothes were also discovered. The operation aimed to crack down on the mass production of counterfeit goods for shops across the UK.
Greater Manchester Police – January 11, 2024
February 5, 2024 – Two brothers were sentenced for selling counterfeit home goods from their Manchester shop. They pleaded guilty to acquiring criminal property and distributing articles that infringed registered trademarks. They both received suspended sentences and were ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work. In a November 2021 raid, London police seized 4,342 fake designer home goods worth £827,000 (over US $1 million). The items included picture frames, rugs, and blankets.