CrimeFeb 10, 2025
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Customs Seizes Nearly 2,000 Pieces of Counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels Jewelry
U.S. customs agents in El Paso, Texas, intercepted the package, which would have been worth $9 million if the jewelry was genuine.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in El Paso, Texas, recently seized a shipment of counterfeit jewelry made to be passed off as pieces from Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” collection.
El Paso, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in El Paso, Texas, recently seized a shipment of fake Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry that it said would have been worth $9.2 million if genuine.
The shipment, which originated from China, was intercepted on April 9 on its way to a residence in El Paso.
The package contained 1,708 pieces of jewelry, including rings, bracelets, earrings, and necklaces.
The jewels resembled Van Cleef & Arpels’ popular “Alhambra” line, said officials.
The shipment’s manifest said it contained accessories and bracelets worth $15,480.
CBP reached out to the trademark holder and confirmed the goods were counterfeit. The seizure was authorized April 21.
CBP said its investigation into the shipment is ongoing.
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The shipment, which originated from China, was intercepted on April 9 on its way to a residence in El Paso.
The package contained 1,708 pieces of jewelry, including rings, bracelets, earrings, and necklaces.
The jewels resembled Van Cleef & Arpels’ popular “Alhambra” line, said officials.
The shipment’s manifest said it contained accessories and bracelets worth $15,480.
CBP reached out to the trademark holder and confirmed the goods were counterfeit. The seizure was authorized April 21.
CBP said its investigation into the shipment is ongoing.
“CBP officers inspect arriving international parcels for a variety of reasons to include protecting American consumers from potential safety violations and rooting out counterfeit goods that may be supporting an underground economy that thrives on deception and exploitation,” CBP El Paso Director of Field Operations Hector Mancha said.
“Buying counterfeit luxury jewelry may seem like a bargain, but it may also be fueling criminal enterprises involved in money laundering, forced labor, and even organized crime.”
Counterfeit goods cost U.S. businesses billions of dollars annually, he said.
CBP shared tips for avoiding counterfeit luxury goods, including purchasing directly from the brand or its authorized retailers.
Consumers should be aware of the prices of legitimate goods to avoid a deal that’s too good to be true.
Shoppers should also be wary of websites that don’t have contact information for customer service, information about the return policies, and a legitimate phone number.
CBP offers an “E-Commerce Counterfeit Awareness Guide for Consumers” on its website as well as an online educational initiative to educate consumers about the dangers surrounding counterfeit goods.
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