Dearborn Man Accused in Counterfeit Air Bag Scheme

A Dearborn man and another man from Dearborn Heights are accused of taking part in a counterfeit air bag scheme, according to a press release from the United States Attorney’s Office Eastern Office of Michigan.

Hussein Jomaa of Dearborn and Samar Ayoub of Dearborn Heights were arrested Monday by agents from the U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.

The two men face federal charges of knowingly trafficking counterfeit merchandise. If convicted, the charge carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

The arrests follow a nearly two-year investigation by HSI agents in which they seized approximately 73 counterfeit air bags.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Jomaa bought Honda-branded air bags and other Honda trademark-infringing items from Ayoub late last year.

Authorities say Jomaa, the general manager of Eagle Auto in Detroit, purchased the air bags and other counterfeit parts for vehicles bound for Africa. HSI agents allege Ayoub purchased the air bags and other items from a manufacturer in China.

The Intellectual Property Rights Center also assisted in the investigation.