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
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: January-March 2025
Connecticut | Florida | Indiana | Louisiana | Massachusetts | Nebraska | New York | Worldwide: China | Ireland | South Africa
Connecticut
January 10, 2025 – A 24-year-old former police officer from Massachusetts was sentenced to 60 days in prison and 18 months supervised release for trafficking counterfeit luxury watches. From 2020 to 2024, while employed at Framingham State University Police Department, the officer imported fake watches from China and sold them through social media for $100-300 each. U.S. Customs seized multiple shipments totaling over 150 counterfeit watches, primarily Rolex, with an authentic retail value of approximately $3 million. Upon his April 2024 arrest, authorities found 60+ fake watches at his residence. He pleaded guilty and must forfeit $271,585 in proceeds.
United States Attorney’s Office, District of Connecticut – January 10, 2025
Florida
January 28, 2025 – A 71-year-old Miami resident and former Luxottica wholesaler was arrested for selling stolen and counterfeit eyewear. Since 2020, he operated “Eye Avenue Inc.” on eBay, selling authentic stolen eyewear from EssilorLuxottica (Oakley, Ray-Ban) and counterfeit products from China. A 2022 search of his home revealed 240 pairs of stolen eyewear worth $36,000 and 150 counterfeit pairs. Documents showed he purchased over $223,000 worth of eyewear at suspiciously low prices. The Miami man was arrested and released on $15,000 bond, facing charges of grand theft and vending counterfeit goods.
Indiana
January 29, 2025 – U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Indianapolis recently intercepted two shipments from China containing over 2,100 pieces of counterfeit luxury jewelry. The seizures, made on January 21 and 23, included fake items bearing trademarks of Cartier, Van Cleef and Arpels, Chanel, Tiffany & Co., and Juste Un. The counterfeit goods consisted of charms, bracelets, rings, pendants, necklaces, brooches, and earrings. If genuine, the items would have been worth $5.2 million.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection – January 29, 2025
Louisiana
February 5, 2025 – Operation Team Player, a collaboration between federal agencies and sports leagues, seized $39.5 million worth of counterfeit sports merchandise ahead of Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. The operation confiscated over 214,507 counterfeit items including t-shirts, jerseys, and memorabilia. Since its 2013 launch, the initiative has seized $455 million in fake merchandise. Officials from the IPR Center, New Orleans Police Department, CBP, and NFL emphasized their commitment to protecting consumers from counterfeit goods, particularly given the rise of deceptive e-commerce practices. Local and federal authorities will monitor illegal vendors during Super Bowl events.
Homeland Security Investigations – February 5, 2025
Massachusetts
February 5, 2025 – The owner of Family Sneaker House in Milford was arrested for selling counterfeit luxury brand shoes sourced from a Chinese distributor. Police discovered over 1,200 counterfeit items worth more than $200,000 at the store in December. The investigation involved counterfeit Adidas, Gucci, Nike, and Louis Vuitton products. The store owner has agreed to provide refunds to customers who present their receipts to authorities. Milford Police Chief Robert Tusino emphasized that such counterfeiting operations harm both corporations and consumers.
25 News – Bryan Lambert and Boston 25 News Staff – February 5, 2025
Nebraska
January 16, 2025 – A 62-year-old Columbus, Nebraska woman, was sentenced in federal court for selling counterfeit merchandise through her online store, Bugaboo Boutique. The case began when CBP agents discovered fake goods shipped from China at an Anchorage FedEx facility. Items included counterfeit Chanel earrings, Birkenstock sandals, Ray Ban sunglasses, and Louis Vuitton shoes and bags. Facebook records revealed that the woman knowingly sold fake items, marketing them as “inspired by” name brands at lower prices. Judge Bazis sentenced her to time served, a $12,000 fine, and $1,935 in restitution to two victims.
WOWT – Gina Dvorak – January 15, 2025
New York
January 7, 2025 – From December 2024 through January 6, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Champlain, New York intercepted multiple jewelry shipments on grounds of possible trademark infringement. They discovered that the shipments contained counterfeit Tiffany & Co. jewelry. These packages were determined to violate Intellectual Property Rights. If the products had been authentic, they would have been worth approximately $29,989.
US Customs and Border Protection – January 7, 2025
China
January 31, 2025 – Aupen, a popular luxury handbag brand favored by celebrities, collaborated with Chinese authorities to raid Baorun Leather Products Co. Ltd. in Guangdong province for producing counterfeit goods. The operation led to the seizure of $150,000 worth of fake bags and the imprisonment of a factory foreman and ringleaders—a total of nine individuals. The investigation began when Aupen discovered counterfeit versions of their products being sold on Alibaba and other Asian e-commerce platforms. Company founder Nicholas Tan emphasized that authentic Aupen products are only sold direct-to-consumer through Aupen.com.
Women’s Wear Daily – Lisa Lockwood – February 4, 2025
Ireland
January 31, 2025 – Dublin police seized luxury products worth thousands of euros along with €25,710 (US $26,700) during two searches in the city. At a home and business in the areas, they discovered 180 suspected fake Apple Air Pod Max headphones. In addition, they found 185 counterfeit Otterbox mobile phone cases and luxury goods from Balenciaga, Gucci, Hermes, and Louis Vuitton. They have not made any arrests and Investigations are ongoing.
South Africa
February 1, 2025 – In January, South African Police Service conducted multiple operations in Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal. They seized over 70,000 counterfeit items worth R90 million and arrested 37 suspects. The raids targeted fake cellphones, cigarettes, clothing, toys, pharmaceuticals, and consumables. The operations were conducted by the National Counterfeit Goods Unit, working with various agencies including SARS Customs, Home Affairs, and brand protectors. Support came from specialized units including the Tactical Response Team and drone pilots as part of Operation Vala Umgodi.