Anti-Piracy Seizure Information
California | Florida | Illinois | Kentucky | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | Pennsylvania | Texas | Washington | Wisconsin | Worldwide: China | Philippines | South Africa | Spain | Taiwan | Thailand | United Kingdom | Vietnam
California
April 22, 2025 – CBP officers at the Port of San Francisco recently confiscated almost 7,600 counterfeit stuffed toys with a retail value exceeding $156,000. Officials initially flagged the unauthorized Hello Kitty and Pokémon plush dolls in February during an inspection of nearly 100 bags of toys. An investigation confirmed both trademark and copyright infringement against Nintendo of America Inc. and Sanrio Company, Ltd. Following a thorough verification process, officers officially seized the toys last Wednesday.
CBP officials did not make any arrests. However, they n oted that the smugglers suffered significant financial losses. The agency considers this enforcement action an important deterrent against future counterfeit merchandise trafficking.
KTVU – Sharon Song – April 22, 2025
April 25, 2025 – A 23 year old California woman faces four federal counts of trafficking counterfeit luxury items through her workplace, Mitchelle Inc. The indictment follows a February 2025 investigation that uncovered fake Chanel, Christian Dior, Valentino, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton products imported from Hong Kong. She allegedly sold nine counterfeit items for approximately $490. Following her April 9 arrest, authorities seized counterfeit merchandise with an authentic retail value of about $1 million from the San Gabriel superstore location.
The woman’s arraignment is on May 8. If convicted, she faces up to 10 years in federal prison per count. Homeland Security Investigations is handling the case.
United States Attorney’s Office, Central District of California – April 25, 2025
Florida
May 1, 2025 – Authorities arrested an 84-year-old Delray Beach resident, owner of “Ronnie’s Shoes,” and seized over $200,000 worth of counterfeit designer merchandise from his Delray Beach store. The investigation began in July 2024 following an anonymous Crime Stoppers tip. Undercover operations confirmed the octogenarian was selling fake Prada, Chanel, Hermes, and Louis Vuitton items priced between $49-$150, compared to authentic retail values of $1,070-$4,500. Brand representatives verified the items were counterfeit.
The man was booked into Palm Beach County Jail following an April 30 search warrant execution. He is accused of selling counterfeit goods and operating an unregistered business. He reportedly admitted to previous jail time for similar offenses.
CBS 12 News – Skyler Shepard – May 1, 2025
Illinois
May 1, 2025 – Chicago CBP officers intercepted 485 shipments of counterfeit goods from China and Hong Kong during April 2025. These seizures included 516 fake luxury watches (Cartier, Omega, Patek Philippe, Rolex, and Audemars Piguet) with an authentic retail value exceeding $9.22 million. Additionally, authorities confiscated 4,345 counterfeit driver’s licenses from 340 shipments destined for various U.S. locations.
US Customs and Border Protection – May 1, 2025
May 6, 2025 – Over the weekend, US CBP officials from A-TCET (Chicago Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team) near Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport inspected a shipment of high-end designer watches. The only problem? They were counterfeit. The seized shipment that arrived on May 4 from China contained counterfeit Bvlgari, Rolex, Cartier, and other luxury timepieces. CBP’s Centers of Excellence and Expertise declared the timepieces to be fake. If genuine, they would have sold for a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price exceeding $6.64 million.
US Customs and Border Protection – May 6, 2025
May 20, 2025 – Officials arrested four men in DuPage County, Illinois for operating a counterfeit electronics ring worth over $573,000. They were caught attempting to sell fake Apple and Samsung products from their cars to random people on the street. Police discovered the operation after responding to reports of suspicious vehicle activity in May. Searches of their vehicles and shared residence uncovered more than 760 counterfeit items. These bogus products included iPhones, AirPods, Apple Watches, and Samsung phones, plus over $135,000 in cash. Officers charged all four suspects with possession of counterfeit items with intent to sell. They remain detained pending court appearances in June.
Fox 32 Chicago – Alex Ortiz – May 20, 2025
Kentucky
June 23, 2025 – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville intercepted five shipments of counterfeit luxury jewelry over two nights in June. Officers seized nearly 2,200 fake items worth over $25 million if genuine. The shipments originated from China and Hong Kong, containing unauthorized replicas of high-end brands such as Cartier, Van Cleef and Arpels. Items seized included bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and rings. The counterfeit products were destined for residences across Pennsylvania, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan. CBP’s trade experts confirmed the items bore counterfeit trademarks, representing a significant bust in the ongoing fight against luxury goods counterfeiting.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection – June 23, 2025
New Jersey
June 23, 2025 – Officers arrested a 63-year-old New Jersey electronics store owner on June 5 for selling over 100 counterfeit Apple products. The phony merchandise included fake iPhones, AirPods, and charging accessories. The arrest was made under Essex County’s Intellectual Property Enforcement Program, funded by the Department of Justice. This bust followed an investigation involving undercover purchases. The defendant faces third-degree counterfeiting charges carrying 3-5 years in prison, though first-time offenders typically receive probation. The case highlights safety concerns with counterfeit electronics, which can cause overheating, electrical failures, and device damage. The investigation continues. Authorities are reviewing supply chains and considering additional charges while examining the broader distribution network.
AppleInsider – Andrew Orr – June 23, 2025
New Mexico
May 22, 2025 – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Columbus port seized over 1,800 counterfeit goods valued at $168,037 in retail price. The April 2nd seizure involved an in-bond shipment from China destined for Mexico. The illegal package contained fake electronics, auto parts, card games, and Harry Potter merchandise.
CBP collaborated with trademark holders to verify the items were counterfeit before authorizing the May 6th seizure. The shipment violated in-bond transportation requirements, which allow goods to move between U.S. ports without duty payments under specific conditions. Officials seized the merchandise for intellectual property violations, and the investigation continues under federal trade and customs regulations.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection – May 22, 2025
New York
May 5, 2025 – In April, Rochester Port of Entry CBP officers inspected and seized various shipments of counterfeit merchandise. They discovered designer handbags, clothing, watches, shoes, and wallets, among other products. All bore counterfeit trademarks. Had they been authentic merchandise, the total MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) value would have been around $198,000 dollars.
US Customs and Border Protection – May 5, 2025
Pennsylvania
May 29, 2025 – A 77-year-old Reading, Pennsylvania man pleaded guilty to wire and mail fraud for operating an art forgery scheme between February 2019 and March 2021. He knowingly sold fake artworks while falsely claiming they were authentic pieces by renowned artists. The counterfeited artists were Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, and Francis Bacon. Before a federal judge, the man gave a guilty plea. He admitted to deceiving customers about the source and authenticity of the counterfeit art. The FBI’s Art Crime Team from Philadelphia and Miami field offices investigated the case. The Berks County art pirate faces up to 40 years in prison when sentenced on September 12.
United States Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Pennsylvania – May 29, 2025
June 26, 2025 – Officials at U.S. Customs and Border Protection intercepted 13 fake Rolex watches and 12 counterfeit designer sunglasses on June 6. These glasses and timepieces were valued at $573,200 if genuine. The shipment arrived from the United Arab Emirates on April 27, mislabeled as “Empty Poly Bag Ladies Hand Bag.” However, they contained luxury timepieces and sunglasses from brands like Burberry, Chanel, and Gucci. After initial inspection raised suspicions, CBP’s trade experts collaborated with trademark holders to verify the items were counterfeit. Officials emphasized that counterfeit goods damage legitimate businesses, fund criminal organizations, and pose safety risks to consumers.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection – June 26, 2025
Texas
April 22, 2025 – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in El Paso intercepted a major shipment of counterfeit luxury jewelry on April 9. The package from China contained 1,708 fake Van Cleef & Arpels “Alhambra” pieces (rings, bracelets, earrings, and necklaces). The bogus jewelry was destined for an El Paso residence. After confirming with the trademark holder that the items were counterfeit, CBP officially seized the shipment on April 21. Though declared as accessories worth only $15,480, the authentic retail value would have exceeded $9.2 million.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection – April 22, 2025
May 20, 2025 – US Customs and Border Protection officials in the port of Houston/Galveston seized 373,000 fake USB phone chargers. These chargers are also known as lightning cables. If genuine, they would have an MSRP of more than $7 million. The shipment of 7,460 cartons of phone chargers contained the Apple trademark. Representatives from CBP and Apple confirmed the phone chargers to be counterfeit.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection – May 20, 2025
Washington
May 21, 2025 – In Washington, a court sentenced a 24-year-old Chinese national to 264 days in prison for a sophisticated iPad fraud scheme that cost Target stores $326,000. Between 2023 and early 2024, the man purchased at least 140 genuine iPads from Eastern Washington Target locations. He then replaced them with counterfeit devices, resealed the boxes, and returned them for gift card refunds. He used these refunds to purchase more iPads, perpetuating the cycle. The scheme involved receiving approximately $163,000 in fraudulent refunds while Target lost double that amount in actual losses and reimbursements. The counterfeiter must serve three years supervised release, pay $326,000 restitution, and a co-defendant awaits sentencing.
The Spokesman-Review – Garrett Cabeza – May 20, 2025
Wisconsin
May 24, 2025 – Federal agents raided Dutti Fashion in Milwaukee as part of a years-long investigation into counterfeit luxury goods trafficking. The probe involves a Jordanian national accused of importing fake merchandise to two Milwaukee fashion stores. Since 2017, customs agents seized 18 shipments of counterfeit items worth over $1.6 million if authentic, including packages mislabeled as children’s items containing 36 fake Rolex watches valued at nearly $1 million. Investigators used undercover purchases, surveillance, and trash searches to gather evidence. During one undercover buy, a store worker admitted a Rolex was “not real, but they’re lookalikes.” The store owner declined comment and faces no current charges.
WISN 12 – Kendall Keys – May 24, 2025
China
April 21, 2025 – In an effort to crack down on anime piracy to support rights holders, Chinese authorities arrested the operator of a huge anime piracy website. Officials shut down over 1,000 unauthorized anime downloads and streams and dismantled the anime piracy ring. South China Morning Post initially reported the bust, which followed pressure from streaming services and international content creators. The suspect built a lucrative business trafficking in premium-quality anime uploads without obtaining licensing.
Otakukart – Steve Markus Johanson – April 21, 2025
June 22, 2025 – Vietnamese customs officials at the Tra Linh border with China seized 450 counterfeit Rolex watches valued at $1.7 million if authentic. The timepieces were hidden in a container falsely declared as holding 24 tons of consumer goods. The shipment also contained undeclared cosmetics, electronics, and clothing items, with the shipper unable to provide legal ownership documentation. This represents the latest in a surge of smuggling incidents, with five similar cases reported in the first half of June involving over 5,700 fake designer items from brands like Louis Vuitton, Nike, and Tommy Hilfiger. Since mid-May, nationwide enforcement has uncovered over 3,100 violations, with intellectual property crimes comprising 52% of cases and resulting in significant fines.
RetailNews Asia – June 22, 2025
Philippines
May 26, 2025 – Philippines’ Bureau of Customs (BOC) officials seized approximately P15.8 billion (US $277.8 million) of counterfeit products in Divisoria warehouses. Unauthorized logos of brands like Louis Vuitton, Guess, Tony Burch, and Michael Kors were affixed on the goods. After the IPOPHIL (Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines) and fashion brand Guess confirmed the products as counterfeit, authorities conducted another inspection. Police accused the warehouses of both online and in-store sales of counterfeit merchandise.
GMA News Online – May 26, 2025
South Africa
May 25, 2025 – The South African Police Service (SAPS) conducted a major operation in Bruma, east of Johannesburg, seizing counterfeit goods worth over R20 million (US $1.1 million) and arresting 35 suspects. The multi-agency raid involved SARS, Customs, Crime Intelligence, Hawks, Home Affairs, and private security. Officials confiscated more than 24,000 fake items. These counterfeit products included branded clothing, handbags, phone accessories, jewelry, footwear, and perfumes. One person was charged under the Counterfeit Goods Act while 34 foreign nationals faced immigration violations. This follows last month’s nationwide operations that seized R50 million (US $2.69 million) in counterfeit goods, including R4.5 million in illicit cigarettes from Centurion, Brits, and Pretoria Central. Three Bangladeshi nationals were also arrested for immigration offenses.
The Star – Masabata Mkwananzi – May 25, 2025
Spain
April 18, 2025 – In March, the Fiscal Patrol Unit of Vecindario conducted a major counterfeit goods operation in Gran Canaria, confiscating products valued at over €180,000 ($204,182). Officials noted the “high level of perfection and quality” in the fake merchandise presentation. The investigation uncovered counterfeit sportswear, including football kits bearing national club colors and emblems, being sold outside official retail channels. Agents traced the goods to a distribution warehouse containing fake designer handbags and fashion accessories.
Authorities identified “garment laundering” techniques where generic clothing is modified with industrially produced logos to mimic high-end brands. Investigations continue, with the possibility of further legal action.
Canarian Weekly – April 18, 2025
Taiwan
June 23, 2025 – Taiwan’s Criminal Investigation Bureau arrested 10 people in connection with a counterfeit goods operation that generated over $10 million in sales through rented Shopee accounts. The scheme, orchestrated by a 54-year-old fugitive suspect who fled to China, involved recruiting people to rent their e-commerce accounts for $68 plus 1-2% of sales. Between January 2024 and June 2025, the group used 290 accounts to sell fake luxury items from brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Nike, importing goods from China and storing them in Taiwan before shipping to customers. The operation used shell companies and confidentiality agreements to launder profits back to China, violating multiple laws and creating national security risks.
Focus Taiwan – Huang Li-yun and James Thompson – June 23, 2025
Thailand
May 4, 2025 – Consumer Protection Police Division officers confiscated over 28,000 bottles of fake luxury perfume during raids on four Bangkok warehouses on May 1. The counterfeit merchandise included fraudulent Coco Chanel Paris, Burberry Hero, Louis Vuitton, and YSL products. Officers arrested the Chinese warehouse owner following a lead from a Thai man previously detained in March for selling fake perfume. Investigators found additional evidence at the suspect’s Thonburi District apartment.
Police allege the operation involved importing low-quality, unbranded perfume and repackaging it with counterfeit luxury branding. The total seizure included 34,806 fake perfume and cosmetic items valued at 4.36 million baht ($133,415). The suspect faces charges of selling both unlicensed cosmetics and counterfeit products.
The Nation, Thailand – May 4, 2025
United Kingdom
May 16, 2025 – Swansea Council Trading Standards officers, supported by Met Police and brand representatives, conducted one of the UK’s largest multi-agency operations, seizing counterfeit toys valued between £6-10 million ($8-13.44 million) from four warehouses in Southall, London. The operation followed a Christmas seizure in Swansea city center that led investigators to track the distribution source to the London industrial estate. The fake toys mimicked popular brands including Pokémon, Peppa Pig, Star Wars, and Marvel.
Testing revealed some counterfeit items contained banned phthalate chemicals linked to cancer and hormone disruption. Trading Standards Lead Officer Rhys Harries noted these dangerous products posed risks to children and legitimate brand owners.
The Standard – Megan Howe – May 16, 2025
May 22, 2025 – Police arrested a Welsh man at his home, suspected of leaking unreleased Hollywood movies online. Officials from the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU), City of London Police, arrested the 47 year old. He was charged with alleged copyright infringement. Oficials alleged that the man obtained thousands of television series, films, and songs, distributing them from a file-sharing site without authorization or licenses. This pirated content included two recent Hollywood movies that were leaked prior to their official release.
During the arrest, police seized several hard drives and two laptops and shuttered the website. They also found many discs, allegedly used to store content. This arrest was made possible by an investigation by PIPCU and the MPA (Motion Picture Association). The Welshman was released pending further investigation.
City of London Police – May 22, 2025
June 11, 2025 – Counterfeit merchandise that included possibly dangerous sunglasses were seized at the Appleby Horse Fair in Cumbria. The bogus goods, if genuine, would have been worth about £38,000 (US $51,775). Fake Prada, Ray Ban, Chanel, Cartier, and Celine shades were discovered at the fair’s market, which is frequented by the gypsy community. The Anti-Counterfeiting Group, Cumbria Police, and Trading Standards officials worked together to focus on products that posed health risks to consumers. In this case, it was counterfeit sunglasses without the required UV protection.
BBC News – Federica Bedendo – June 11, 2025
Vietnam
May 30, 2025 – Vietnamese officials confiscated thousands of phony luxury goods that included counterfeit Prada handbags and Rolex watches. The raid took place at a shopping center in Ho Chi Minh City, which ranks high on the US Trade Representative’s “notorious markets for counterfeiting” list. Counterfeits of other brands were also seized, such as Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Longines, Dior, and Gucci. A mall employee explained that they lease space to retailers and are not aware of products’ authenticity. This bust is part of increased efforts by Vietnam to tackle counterfeiting, as a response to the U.S. threatening increased tariffs.
Reuters – Khanh Vu and Francesco Guarascio – May 30, 2025
May 31, 2025 – Vietnamese authorities arrested a 51-year-old for manufacturing and selling 200,000 counterfeit socks bearing Adidas, Uniqlo, and Nike logos. Operating from Quoc Oai District since 2015, the man initially produced legitimate socks under his “Thien Duong” brand before switching to counterfeits in 2018 due to high demand for branded products. He modified knitting machines to embed fake logos and employed four workers for production and packaging. Police raids in January seized over 21,000 counterfeit sock pairs, machinery, and manufacturing materials. Since 2022, he sold the fake socks wholesale through online platforms and markets, generating approximately VND240 million (US $9,400) in estimated market value.