CBP’s $638K Bust Nabbed Counterfeit Gucci Socks and More Luxury Frauds
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at Chicago O’Hare’s International Mail Facility discovered more than half a million dollars in counterfeits when inspecting a shipment labeled as “fashion sunglasses.”
On June 4, the agency’s trade experts uncovered products bearing counterfeit marks valued at nearly $638,000, had the goods been genuine. Thirty-six pairs of “designer” sunglasses from the likes of Louis Vuitton and Versace, as well as 25 pairs of counterfeit socks from luxury brands such as Gucci and Dior, plus 22 fake Rolex and Patek Phillipe watches, among others, were shipped from Thailand en route to a residence in Bedford, Ind.
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“CBP protects honest trade and hardworking businesses,” LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, director, field operations, Chicago field office, said in a statement. “Counterfeit goods defraud customers and businesses. Our officers are dedicated to the CBP mission and work diligently for American consumers by stopping the flow of illegitimate and pirated merchandise.”
CBP cites the rapid growth of e-commerce, which enables consumers to easily search and buy millions of goods through online vendors, as a reason why so many pirated goods find their way onto U.S. shores. Consumers in the U.S. spend over $100 billion annually on intellectual property rights (IPR) infringing goods, “falling victim” to about 20 percent of the counterfeits illegally sold across the globe, according to CBP. The ethical issues aside, counterfeit costume jewelry has been found to contain lead and other toxic materials dangerous to human health.
“Counterfeiters easily hide in plain sight on online marketplaces. They dupe shoppers into buying low quality and dangerous counterfeits online,” Michael Pfeiffer, Chicago’s acting area port director, said. “CBP employees work tirelessly to protect our economy and consumers every day.”
Last month, CBP officers in Louisville seized over $3 million in counterfeit goods originating from Hong Kong. The month prior, Washington officials sentenced a woman with a “robin hood” mentality for making over $40,000 by selling fake luxury handbags, according to a CBP investigation. In March, more than $700,000 worth of fashion fakes originating from South Korea was seized by CBP agents in Virginia.
