Connecticut | Florida | Georgia | Illinois | Kentucky | Missouri | New York | North Carolina | Ohio | Oklahoma | Pennsylvania | South Carolina | Tennessee | Virginia | Worldwide: Australia | China | Germany | Ireland | Italy | United Kingdom | Vietnam
Connecticut
December 8, 2025 – A New Britain woman pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges related to importing and selling counterfeit goods. Between 2021 and 2024, she used Facebook Live to sell fake designer jewelry, clothing, and handbags, conspiring with others to generate over $4 million in sales via payment platforms such as PayPal, Venmo, and Cash App. U.S. Customs seized multiple parcels of counterfeit items shipped from China, Hong Kong, and Thailand. A December 2024 search of her residence uncovered nearly 2,000 counterfeit products. The Connecticut woman faces up to one year in prison at her March 12 sentencing.
United States Attorney’s Office, District of Connecticut – December 8, 2025
Florida
December 5, 2025 – Sweetwater Police arrested a 24-year-old suspect in a major counterfeit merchandise operation outside Dolphin Mall on Friday. Detectives observed suspicious transactions in the parking lot before moving in. Inside the suspect’s truck, officers discovered a large cache of counterfeit luxury goods bearing labels such as Louis Vuitton and Rolex, including watches and bags. The suspect faces counterfeiting-related charges. Assistant Police Chief Francisco Fernandez noted that buyers often believe these items are authentic bargains, creating multiple victims. The suspect’s identity has not been publicly released.
NBC Miami – Valerie Ryan – December 5, 2025
Georgia
November 27, 2025 – A federal grand jury indicted seven individuals, including prominent business owners and a former Cook County school principal, for allegedly trafficking counterfeit luxury goods. The defendants reportedly operated through private Facebook groups for nearly four years, selling counterfeit items from brands such as Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci, valued at over $10 million. Charges include conspiracy to traffic counterfeit goods and tampering with evidence. Convictions could result in up to 10 years imprisonment and $2 million fines.
WALB – Mackenzie Petrie – November 27, 2025
Illinois
November 4, 2025 – On October 23, officials at the Chicago branch of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized a shipment of 26 counterfeit watches and two bracelets. The bust occurred during an inspection at an express consignment facility near Chicago’s International Airport. The shipment from China contained counterfeit designer watches bearing the names and logos of Richard Mille, Diesel, G-Shock, and Audemars Piguet. There were also two Rolex bracelets. If they had been authentic, they would have had a retail value of over $8.5 million.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection – November 4, 2025
Kentucky
November 3, 2025 – On October 28, Louisville CBP officers intercepted two shipments from Hong Kong. They were headed to residences in Doral, Florida, and Union City, Georgia. These packages contained 53 counterfeit watches bearing the trademarks of Patek Philippe, Rolex, Richard Mille, Swarovski, Cartier, Hublot, and G-Shock. CBP’s Centers of Excellence and Expertise confirmed that the timepieces were counterfeit. If they had been genuine, the watches would have had a combined MSRP of $6.6 million.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection – November 3, 2025
November 20, 2025 – On November 17, officials from U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Louisville intercepted 160 counterfeit Rolex watches from Taiwan valued at $2.57 million. The bogus timepieces bore protected Rolex trademarks and were being shipped to a Houston residence. The agency’s trade specialists confirmed the items were fake. If the watches had been authentic, they would have had a retail value of $2.57 million. In fiscal year 2025, CBP confiscated nearly 79 million fake items worth over $7.3 billion if genuine.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection – November 20, 2025
December 10, 2025 – In early December, U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Louisville intercepted three shipments of counterfeit luxury goods worth over $18.6 million. The packages from Hong Kong and Taiwan contained fake Cartier, Rolex, and Audemars Piguet watches, as well as designer accessories destined for New York, Texas, and Houston. Chicago Field Office Director LaFonda Sutton-Burke emphasized the threat these low-quality items pose to consumers and the economy. In fiscal year 2024, CBP seized nearly 79 million counterfeit items valued at $7.3 billion if authentic.
WHAS11 – Cody Swinney – December 10, 2025
Missouri
October 24, 2025 – A Morrow, Georgia, man was accused of selling bogus Cardinals and Yankees memorabilia outside Busch Stadium in St. Louis last summer. He now faces a Class D felony for counterfeiting. Police arrested him on August 17 for not having a vendor’s license and selling what was confirmed as counterfeit jerseys, hats, jewelry, and other sports merchandise that depicted New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals logos. These items were not authorized by either team or Major League Baseball. The value of the bogus goods, if genuine, exceeded $10,000.
Fox 2 Now – Joey Schneider – October 24, 2025
New York
December 5, 2025 – At Rochester’s port of entry, U.S. CBP officials intercepted more than $425,000 in counterfeit designer products. These items bore counterfeit trademarks. After inspecting several shipments, they discovered counterfeit jewelry, shoes, handbags, and watches. Everything was confirmed as inauthentic and was seized. Had these products been genuine, the total MSRP value would have been approximately $425,125.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection – December 5, 2025
North Carolina
October 30, 2025 – North Carolina authorities seized over $1.1 million in counterfeit merchandise during October operations targeting sporting events and the State Fair. Officials confiscated counterfeit collegiate gear, luxury brands, and items such as Labubu dolls from vendors at university homecomings, the State Fair, and the Hickory Flea Market. No arrests were made because vendors voluntarily surrendered their items. Designer brands included Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Polo, Nike, Rolex, Ray-Ban, and Gucci.
Yahoo! News – Ben Bokun – October 30, 2025
Ohio
December 2, 2025 – On November 28, Cincinnati U.S. CBP officers intercepted a shipment of 52 counterfeit watches originating in Colombia. These counterfeit watches were branded with fake trademarks from Rolex, Casio, Hublot, Cartier, and Richard Mille. Had they been genuine, the watches would have had a retail value of $6.37 million. CBP’s Centers of Excellence and Expertise determined that they were counterfeit.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection – December 2, 2025
Oklahoma
November 19, 2025 – Following a months-long police investigation, two Oklahoma City residents were arrested for selling counterfeit luxury goods. In September, officers received a tip about suspicious merchandise. Police identified the products sold in various stores. They sent photographs of the items to the brands to verify authenticity and learned they were all counterfeit. Law enforcement seized thousands of dollars’ worth of goods and more than $10,000. A search warrant was served, and the two suspects were charged with violating the Trademarks Act.
KOCO News – Abigail Ogle – November 19, 2025
Pennsylvania
October 9, 2025 – Officials in Lebanon County discovered counterfeit watches worth $300,000 after pulling over an attempted homicide suspect. The 24-year-old was a passenger in a vehicle caught speeding on I-78, court documents show. Police were suspicious after noticing a strong marijuana smell in the car, and the suspect attempted to hide his ID, so he was removed and handcuffed. They learned that he was wanted in Pittsburgh on attempted homicide. Upon searching the vehicle, officers found a pound of marijuana, almost $7,000 in cash, and 42 counterfeit luxury watches from brands like Cartier and Rolex. Company representatives confirmed they were fake and estimated the retail value, if genuine, to exceed $300,000.
CBS News – Madeline Bartos – October 9, 2025
South Carolina
October 13, 2025 – A routine traffic stop on I-85 turned up $1.6 million in counterfeit merchandise. Officials in the Greenville County Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Enforcement Task Force stopped the 18-wheeler. Investigators report that the cargo originated in New Jersey and was headed to Atlanta. The fake products bore brand names including Burberry, Hugo Boss, and Lilly Pulitzer. No charges have been filed yet. Homeland Security Investigations will be investigating the case.
Yahoo – Robert Cox – October 13, 2025
Tennessee
December 12, 2025 – Monroe County authorities seized over 3,000 counterfeit luxury items worth approximately $1.2 million from a Madisonville distribution center. The operation, called The Luxe Closet, had been tracked since 2023 by investigators working for brands like Coach, Louis Vuitton, and Prada. Search warrants executed at the distribution center and the owner’s residence uncovered fake clothing, shoes, handbags, accessories, and other items believed to have originated internationally. While owning counterfeit goods isn’t illegal in Tennessee, selling them is a crime. The investigation into the international supply chain continues, with charges pending against those involved in the operation.
Local 3 News – December 12, 2025
Virginia
November 25, 2025 – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Norfolk intercepted over $775,000 worth of counterfeit toys on October 29, including nearly 18,000 items like plush toys, backpacks, music boxes, and snow globes. The shipment from China was bound for West Virginia. The products illegally used trademarks from popular franchises, including Harry Potter, Labubu, Game of Thrones, Mario, Hello Kitty, Mickey Mouse, and Pikachu. CBP’s trade specialists verified that the products were counterfeit after confirming with trademark holders. Officials warn consumers about the dangers of counterfeit products as holiday shopping approaches.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection – November 25, 2025
Australia
October 20, 2025 – A Gold Coast resident is set to appear before Southport Magistrates Court, charged with 22 counts of selling fake jewelry. He is accused of selling counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels and Cartier jewelry for more than $100,000. Armed with a search warrant, officials from the Gold Coast Joint Organized Crime Task Force raided a Burleigh Heads jewelry store and gained access to a safe that contained counterfeit jewelry, cash, and gold bullion. After a thorough search, police seized the jewelry, and AFP investigations confirmed that the counterfeit pieces were being sold as genuine.
Australian Federal Police – October 20, 2025
China
November 18, 2025 – Chinese authorities dismantled a sophisticated counterfeit jewelry operation worth over $10 million. The organization produced near-perfect replicas of Bulgari, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Cartier pieces. Operating from villa-sized facilities, the ring created complete packaging systems including branded boxes and certificates, mirroring legitimate luxury supply chains. The network distributed counterfeit goods through livestreaming commerce platforms rather than traditional channels, exploiting China’s live-shopping ecosystem.
This bust highlights challenges for luxury brands like LVMH and Richemont, as industrial-scale counterfeiting threatens brand exclusivity and pricing power. The case reflects Beijing’s intellectual property enforcement efforts while underscoring the growing importance of authentication and supply-chain traceability in protecting consumer confidence.
DAO Insights – Alastair Reid Schanche – November 18, 2025
December 5, 2025 – Online shopping giant AliExpress teamed up with Chinese authorities and Specialized, the high-performance bike manufacturer, to bust two massive China-based counterfeit operations. Law enforcement seized Specialized Roval frames, wheels, and handlebars. They also confiscated fake Cervélo, Pinarello, Trek, and Cannondale products, including helmets. The value of the seized goods, if genuine, was $1.5 million. Authorities noted that counterfeit bike parts not only infringe on copyrights but also pose significant risks to consumers.
Endurance Sportswire – December 5, 2025
Germany
October 25, 2025 – German police dismantled an art forgery ring allegedly selling fake masterpieces for millions, including works purportedly by Rembrandt, Picasso, and other renowned artists. Authorities arrested a 77-year-old ringleader and identified 10 accomplices facing organized fraud charges. The investigation began when suspects offered fake Picassos for sale, later revealing they sought $151 million for a forged Rembrandt copy and falsely claimed the Rijksmuseum’s authentic version was fake.
Coordinated raids across Germany and Switzerland seized documents, phones, and suspected forgeries. The group offered at least 19 counterfeit works by masters, including Miro, Rubens, Modigliani, and Kahlo, priced between €400,000 and €14 million (US $460,000 to US $16 million). Authorities haven’t confirmed any successful sales.
NBC News (Reuters) – October 25, 2025
Ireland
December 16, 2025 – Law enforcement in Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, seized counterfeit products worth more than £100,000 (US $134,913). Trading Standards officials, along with the District Support Team and Neighborhood Team officers, searched houses and businesses and uncovered counterfeit merchandise, including clothing, shoes, bags, and other luxury designer items.
Impartial Reporter – William Smith – December 16, 2025
Italy
December 21, 2025 – Italian authorities in Catania seized two million counterfeit items from three warehouses owned by a Senegalese individual. This bust prevented their sale during the Christmas season. The operation uncovered more than 4,000 boxes containing counterfeit goods from more than 60 luxury, casual, and sportswear brands, including Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Nike, Prada, Tommy Hilfiger, and Adidas.
The merchandise was stored across 600 square meters and featured sophisticated packaging with QR codes linking to official brand websites. These counterfeit products had an estimated market value of more than 15 million euros (US $17,654,100). Three individuals were charged with counterfeiting and receiving stolen goods, while investigations continue to trace the supply chain.
Agenzia Nova – December 21, 2025
United Kingdom
October 6, 2025 – A Manchester shop owner was convicted for selling £150,000 (US $200,000) of fake products that included counterfeit Chanel handbags. The 32-year-old was arrested in August 2023 following a raid, which uncovered 1,500 counterfeit football jerseys, clothing, and accessories. At Manchester Crown Court, the owner pleaded guilty to 21 charges of possessing goods bearing a false trademark and was sentenced to an 18-month suspended sentence. He must also complete 100 hours of community service. The raid followed an undercover operation in which an officer purchased counterfeit Nike leggings and a fake Chanel handbag.
October 10, 2025 – Gloucestershire Trading Standards seized over 200 counterfeit toys from a Gloucester city center shop following a complaint about fake Labubu dolls. Officers confiscated 51 boxed Labubu toys lacking UK importer details and 166 additional toys during Tuesday’s inspection. The items presented multiple safety hazards, including easily detachable parts that pose choking risks, missing age warnings on toys with small components, and weak seams that expose stuffing materials. The shop received a warning, and all dangerous products were removed from sale.
BBC News – Maisie Lillywhite – October 10, 2025
December 16, 2025 – Trading Standards officers seized approximately £150,000 (US $202,433) worth of counterfeit goods from three stalls at Bescot Market in Walsall during a joint operation with police and brand protection teams. The seized items included counterfeit clothing and Apple AirPods, many of which posed safety risks, including fire and electrical hazards.
The December 7 enforcement action reflects ongoing partnership efforts between the National Markets Group, Walsall Trading Standards, and Walsall Football Club. Their collaboration has dramatically reduced counterfeit trading in the market. Stalls selling fake goods dropped from around 30 in 2020 to just three this year, demonstrating significant progress in protecting consumers and legitimate businesses.
Express & Star – Beverly Rademacher – December 16, 2025
Vietnam
October 25, 2025 – A Ho Chi Minh City CEO and his wife were arrested for operating a large counterfeit perfume operation that generated approximately $570,200 in illegal profits. The couple, along with nine others, face charges for producing counterfeit luxury fragrances bearing the Dior, Gucci, and Chanel brands. Police raids uncovered 20,000 counterfeit bottles plus manufacturing equipment at their facility. Authorities allege that they researched perfume formulas online, then leased premises and hired family members to mix, bottle, and package the knockoffs. The operation began in early 2024, with products marketed through social media and distributed across multiple Vietnamese provinces.