$4.2M in fake Cartier watches seized by Indianapolis CBP

INDIANAPOLIS - Officials say more than $4 million worth of fake Cartier watches were seized last week in Indianapolis.




U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the Port of Indianapolis seized a shipment sent from Hong Kong on Aug. 8 that contained 30 luxury brand watches. If the watches were genuine, CBP said they would have been worth around $4.2 million.




The watches reportedly had unauthorized versions of Cartier's trademark, which is federally protected. Officers soon determined the watches were not authentic and bore counterfeit marks. Pictures of the seized watches, provided by CBP, can be seen below:

CBP said in a release Friday that, over the last three years, the top counterfeit items seized by officers have been:

1. Jewelry





2. Watches





3. Handbags and wallets

Additionally, officials said China and Hong Kong are the top two source countries for such seizures. In 2024, the two countries reportedly accounted for around 90% of counterfeit items found by officers.




CBP Director of Field Operations LaFonda Sutton-Burke said that not only are the sellers responsible for these crimes, but the buyers are as well.




"We encourage honest trade and urge consumers to think twice before purchasing merchandise from unfamiliar online entities," Sutton-Burke said. "Purchasing counterfeit goods enables criminal enterprises, and the profits made from these items fund their illicit activities."




CBP said counterfeit goods are often sold in underground outlets or on third-party e-commerce sites, funding smugglers and organized crime groups without even being aware of it. To report suspected counterfeit violations to the CBP, click here.





via: https://fox59.com/news/indycrime/4-2m-in-fake-cartier-watches-seized-by-indianapolis-cbp/