Last Updated 1 week by Amnon J. Jobi | Amnon Front Page
Counterfeit jewelry seized by U.S. Customs in Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers said Thursday they on March 4 seized a shipment of counterfeit designer jewelry at the FedEx Express Consignment Operation hub in Indianapolis.
Officers said they found 148 pieces of counterfeit jewelry, including bracelets, necklaces, and earrings bearing the protected trademarks of luxury designers.
Among the seized items were 93 bracelets featuring Cartier logos, 15 necklaces and 15 pairs of earrings bearing Tiffany & Co. logos, 10 pairs of earrings with Cartier markings, nine bracelets branded with Hermes logos, and six bracelets displaying Louis Vuitton logos.
If the items had been genuine, they’d be valued at $4.62 million, said a news release issued from Customs and Border Protection.
The release did not say if anyone was facing criminal charges as a result of the counterfeit goods seized.
The shipment originated from a company in China and was headed to a home in Nashville, Tennessee.
Thursday’s announcement came after a similar Indianapolis seizure of counterfeit jewelry announced in January from the federal agency.
In the release, consumers were given this advice to avoid counterfeit goods:
- Purchase goods directly from the trademark holder, original manufacturer, or authorized retailers.
- Educate yourself on the typical prices of legitimate goods. If an item is priced significantly below market value, it is likely counterfeit.
- Avoid websites that lack customer service contact information, return policies, and legitimate phone numbers.
- Review Customs and Border Protection’s E-Commerce Counterfeit Awareness Guide for Consumers for more tips on spotting fakes.