Feds Seize Fake Watches, Sunglasses 'Valued' At $638K In Chicago

CHICAGO — United States customs officials in Chicago have seized a collection of counterfeit sunglasses, watches, and other goods that would have had a value of nearly $638,000 had they been real, officials announced on Wednesday.

The goods were shipped from Thailand and were bound for a residence in Indiana when they were detected by border and customs officials in Chicago, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said.

Customs and Border Patrol officers in Chicago examined the shipment to determine the admissibility of the goods and found 36 pairs of designer sunglasses bearing counterfeit trademarks of designers like Louis Vuitton, Versace, Chanel, and others.

Officers also found 25 pairs of socks bearing counterfeit Gucci, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, and Dior trademarks, according to a news release.

Officers intercepted 22 watches including the counterfeit trademarks of Franck Muller, Patek Phillipe, Adidas, and Rolex, officials said. The merchandise would have been worth a total of almost $638,000 at a full retail value had the goods been genuine, the agency said.

“Counterfeiters easily hide in plain sight on online marketplaces,” Michael Pfeiffer, Chicago’s acting Area Port Director, said in a news release. “They dupe shoppers into buying low-quality and dangerous counterfeits online. CBP employees work tirelessly to protect our economy and consumers every day.”