Feds seize 132 domain names to stop counterfeit sales
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WASHINGTON -- U.S. and European law enforcement agencies seized 132 domain names that they said were illegally selling counterfeit items online to take advantage of shoppers on Cyber Monday.
One person was arrested, investigators said.
The websites were set up to dupe shoppers into unknowingly buying counterfeit DVDs, sports jerseys, clothes, jewelry and other luxury goods.
Federal officers made undercover purchases as part of the investigation. Investigators said the websites were seized after copyright holders confirmed some of the items were counterfeit or illegal.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the European Police Office (Europol) worked together on the seizure.
101 websites were seized in the U.S., along with an additional 31 in several countries overseas.
Analysts predict this year's Cyber Monday will be the biggest online shopping day in history.
“Our partnerships enable us to go after criminals who are duping unsuspecting shoppers all over the world. This is not an American problem, it is a global one and it is a fight we must win,” said ICE Director John Morton.
The websites were replaced by a banner notifying visitors of the federal seizure and educating them about the consequences of buying and selling counterfeit goods.
Investigators also found PayPal accounts associated with the illegal websites and are in the process of seizing more than $175,000.
“We couldn't be more pleased with the opportunity to work closely with HSI to shut down criminals targeting our customers and our brand just as the holiday season takes off,” said Tod Cohen, Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of Government Relations for eBay. “PayPal and eBay Inc. pride ourselves in going above and beyond in the fight against the illegal online trafficking of counterfeit goods by partnering with law enforcement and rights owners globally, and we hope that this is fair warning to criminals that the Internet is not a safe place to try and sell fake goods.”
Why is ICE and HSI investigating? Why not FBI? I'd prefer the FBI worry about fraud and ICE deal with, oh, let's say Immigration and HSI deal with, oh, I don't know... homeland security?Â
Real concerned with "knockoff goods" - not a tinker's damn for intellectual property theft. Music, movies, video games, all counterfeited and sold openly out of places like China, Singapore, Ireland and the Philippines; all supposedly friendly trading partners, so our government turns a blind eye. Yeah, screw the musicians, actors, writers and programmers - all power to protect Nike, Apple and Rolex!
They need to do the same for the counterfeit(sp.) stuff that's sold in Mexico.
You mean my $25.00 Rolex isn't real??????
 @PointblankÂ
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When my wife was last in China she got me one for $5.""Gold" (brass), Rolex. Terrible knockoff, not a bad watch though.
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Automatic, Japanese movement, 50M water resistant (although i won't count on that).
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Not bad for $5
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I pay full price for âintellectual propertyâ stuff, but when it comes to physical items I âget what I pay forâ.
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And $200 more for Swiss watch movement, or $200 markup from Apple on an âiPadâ (Runs Android but it is built in the same factory) just seems silly to me.
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 @Pointblank  ...chuckle, chuckle...  :-)
Great job on the part of the Feds! Too many people fall for this type of activity. Or they knowingly purchase the counterfeit or illegal items. All the while knowing the artist or person who shelled out the time and money to make it happen, is getting ripped off. It is too bad society has turned to this.
Well the places i buy my counterfeit stuff is still running.
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Although I KNOW it is counterfeit.
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I mean $150 for a knock-off Breitling. Who would think they AREN'T fakes?
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I applaud these efforts and hope more arrests will be made.
it's pretty clear who the government really works for.
@Jamie The consumers who were getting ripped off by cheap knock-offs. Yeah, that answer surprised me too.
 @JTesla  There is cheap knock-off furniture too.. I don't see the feds going after that industry.Â
@Jamie And damage our relationship with Sweden? Nah can't do that.