These nationwide and global anti-piracy seizures are just a small sampling of the worldwide efforts by local, state, and federal law enforcement, often collaborating in anti-piracy investigations. While many of these seizures in the past have focused on physical stockpiles of counterfeited CD and DVD recordings, illegal streaming and filesharing technology has radically transformed how law enforcement battles what are now digital piracy concerns. Meanwhile, counterfeit merchandising has exploded in recent years, which has led to stepped-up efforts by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other federal agencies to stop illegal products from coming into the U.S. from other countries. Local law enforcement also gets involved in cases where illegal products—some of them a threat to public health—are being imported and sold within the U.S.
Today, federal and state anti-piracy efforts tackle digital piracy and the production, transfer and sale of all kinds of counterfeit merchandise, from watches, sneakers, and handbags to counterfeit medicines and vaccines, industrial equipment and beauty products.
2025: January – March | April – June | July – September | October – December
2024: January – March | April – June | July – September | October – December
2023: January – March | April – June | July – September | October – December
2022: January – March | April – June | July – September | October – December
Anti-Piracy Seizure Information: October-December 2025
Illinois | Kentucky | Missouri | North Carolina | Oklahoma | Pennsylvania | South Carolina | Worldwide: Australia | China | Germany | United Kingdom | Vietnam
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 bogus designer brand watches with counterfeit names and logos from 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 with counterfeit Patek Philippe, Rolex, Richard Mille, Swarovski, Cartier, Hublot, and G-Shock trademarks. 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
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 counterfeiting felony charge. 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, was more than $10,000.
Fox 2 Now – Joey Schneider – October 24, 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 fake collegiate gear, luxury brands, and items like Labubu dolls from vendors at university homecomings, the State Fair, and Hickory Flea Market. No arrests occurred as vendors voluntarily surrendered items. Designer brands included Louis Vitton, Chanel, Polo, Nike, Rolex, Rayban, and Gucci.
Yahoo! News – Ben Bokun – October 30, 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. They discovered the products being sold at various stores. They sent photographs of the items to the brands to determine authenticity and learned that they were all fakes. 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 put the estimated retail value, if genuine, at more than $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 had brand names that included Burberry, Hugo Boss, and Lilly Pulitzer. There have been no charges filed yet. Homeland Security Investigations will be investigating the case.
Yahoo – Robert Cox – October 13, 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 with the Gold Coast Joint Organized Crime Task Force raided a Burleigh Heads jewelry store, gaining access to a safe that contained, along with the bogus 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 counterfeits through livestream 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 growing importance of authentication and supply-chain traceability in protecting consumer confidence.
DAO Insights – Alastair Reid Schanche – November 18, 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, falsely claiming 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
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 pled guilty to 21 charges of possession of goods bearing a false trademark and was given an 18-month suspended sentence. He must also complete 100 hours of community service. The raid followed an undercover operation, where an officer purchased fake Nike leggings and a bogus 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 creating choking risks, missing age warnings on toys with small components, and weak seams exposing stuffing materials. The shop received a warning, and all dangerous products were removed from sale.
BBC News – Maisie Lillywhite – October 10, 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 fake luxury fragrances branded as Dior, Gucci, and Chanel. 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.