US Customs and Border Protection are out there doing their job every single day.
In the latest high profile bust, USCBP nabbed over $25 million in counterfeit jewels over 2 nights in five separate shipments.
Well, China and Hong Kong.
On June 19 the first shipment arrived from China, heading to a residence in Pennsylvania. Officers seized 318 bracelets for bearing unauthorized versions of Cartier trademarks. Later in the night, CBP seized another shipment, this one arriving from Hong Kong and heading to a residence in Tampa. This second shipment contained more inauthentic jewelry, specifically 490 necklaces, 205 pair of earrings, and 80 rings, bearing unauthorized trademarks owned by Van Cleef and Arpels.
On the night of June 20 officers seized 3 shipments all containing inauthentic Cartier bracelets, 800 in total. All of these shipments came from China; two of the shipments were heading to a residence in Fayetteville, North Carolina and the third shipment was heading to Michigan.
Fake watches, bracelets, rings, meant to bilk Americans out of money.
Fraudsters planned to pass off this cheap Chinese junk as real jewelry all over the United States.
Here's more from CBP explaining the crime:
Intellectual property theft is not a victimless crime. Victims are American consumers, businesses, trademark holders and people who manufacture and sell legitimate products. Often, the illicit proceeds resulting from the sale of counterfeit or unlicensed products are funneled back to support a broad range of illegal crimes. Criminals sell pirated merchandise and counterfeit U.S. products around the globe. And, while it may seem harmless to buy a knock-off purse, an inexpensive electronic device or cheaper medication, these trade practices threaten the public's health and safety, the U.S. economy and national security by introducing harmful and banned materials into counterfeit products and supporting illegal labor practices.
P.S. Now check out our latest video 👇
