Those watches, handbags and sunglasses might look alluring on a New York City street corner — but the feds want holiday shoppers to keep walking.
That’s the message they delivered Tuesday when federal authorities warned the public not to shell out their hard-earned money for fraudulent goods — whose existence poses an unequivocal threat to the nation, they said.
“Today we’re here to warn the public once again with an old adage that will stand the test of time: If the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is,” Marina Vides, assistant special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations, said. from the cargo facility at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens.
Aside from inherent mistakes — which reveal themselves through flammable electronics, spyware or lead-laden toys from China, among others — proceeds from the sale of illegal goods could also fund terrorist groups overseas, the feds said.
“At a time when we are dealing with a crisis in the Middle East, we know terrorist organizations are using counterfeit goods to finance their terrorist attacks,” Francis J. Russo, head of the US Customs and Border Patrol office in New York, said during the press conference.
Federal authorities seized a massive cargo hold at JFK Airport to highlight why consumers should stay away from illegal counterfeit goods.Kevin C. Downs for the NY Post Most of the products on display Tuesday were seized by authorities at JFK or LaGuardia airports.Stephen Which
“So this year, as always, we remind people that the bitterness of bad quality lasts longer than the joy of paying [lower] price,” Russo continued.
“Make sure you are not an accomplice to this transnational criminal organization.”
To illustrate their point, authorities arranged on four folding tables a variety of tempting but forbidden items New Yorkers might encounter — including fake iPhones, fake Rolexes, bad shoes, Legos, expensive Mac makeup, Burberry sunglasses, handbags Chanel, Gucci phone cases, baseball caps and even fake Oscar statues.
It’s nearly impossible for the untrained eye to tell fake pieces from the genuine article — especially since they’re often packaged in brand-appropriate boxes bearing some of the world’s most popular logos.
High-end counterfeits are big business: The Feds say they seize more than $2 billion in counterfeit goods each year. For the New York Post Many products are inherently defective or poorly made. Helayne Seidman Some — like fake bicycle helmets — don’t meet safety requirements. Kevin C. Downs for the NY Post
But the seemingly luxurious items — many of which have been confiscated by customs agents at JFK, LaGuardia and Newark airports — are no more real than a van Gogh hanging in your friend’s living room.
And while many think buying a fake Gucci bag is a victimless crime, the feds say that’s not the case.
Often, they’re dangerous to consumers — agents describe surge protectors with junk wiring that can cause fires, Legos painted with lead and iPhones that turn on but don’t work.
“We’ve seen a lot of broken electronics, cosmetics with unknown additives, toys with unregulated ingredients and dangerous levels of lead, and fake bicycle helmets that don’t have the necessary safety protection,” Vides said.
Many counterfeit products come from Asia and the Middle East. Helayne Seidman Most electronics rarely work as intended, feds say. And they can be loaded with spyware. Kevin C. Downs for the NY Post
Of course, it’s big money business for thieves, who mostly import counterfeits from China, Hong Kong, Turkey, India and the Philippines.
US Customs agents seize about 25 million counterfeit goods each year worth about $2.3 billion, authorities said.
The New York metropolitan area is a notorious target for these criminals: More than 30% of seized counterfeit goods come through JFK or LaGuardia, Russo said.
The brand was also cheaply made, and never performed as well as its luxury counterparts. Helayne Seidman
Such financial losses could severely affect the country’s economy as criminal organizations seek to rob, copy and substitute US goods, he added.
“By engaging in counterfeit goods, these entities are looking to really hurt the US economy by lowering wages and leading to higher unemployment rates,” Russo said.
“Make no mistake: They are a real danger to the country.”
Categories: Trending
Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
