It’s fake-Louie kablooey!
Feds bust 22 in Vuitton bag caper from China to NYC
Federal agents arrested nearly two dozen people suspected of selling fake Louis Vuitton handbags and Hermes belts as part of a halfbillion-dollar counterfeit goods ring stretching from China to the city.
The 22 defendants were charged Thursday with using boats to smuggle in 40foot shipping containers stuffed with knock-off items that, if genuine, would have sold for more than $450 million, prosecutors said
The goods, which included Tony Burch handbags, Michael Kors wallets and Chanel perfume, were trucked to storage facilities in Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island, prosecutors said.
The bogus bags and phony belts were then sold to other wholesale and retail sellers in New York, California and elsewhere in the country.
Brooklyn federal prosecutors said the suspects used burner phones and emails to conceal their identities and conspired to launder the proceeds of their illegal wares.
“As alleged, the defendants used many forms of deception to smuggle large quantities of counterfeit luxury brand goods from China into the United States, and then profited by distributing and selling the fake merchandise,” said Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Richard Donoghue.
The suspects, including 43-year-old Wo Qi Liu who was also known as “Big Elephant,” were all arrested Thursday.
They face multiple charges, including conspiracy to traffic counterfeit goods, money laundering conspiracy and immigration fraud.
Some 11 other suspects — eight in New York and three in Los Angeles — were arrested on state charges in connection with the scheme. The details on those cases weren’t immediately available.
The NYPD joined forces with Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to carry out the investigation dating back to 2012, authorities said.
“Today’s indictments demonstrate our resolve to ensure a level playing field for all, and serve as a reminder that selling fake goods is never a victimless crime,” said NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill. “Everything about these activities undermines public trust.”