RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — A busy month of sporting events and celebrations is leading to the seizure of more than $1.1 million worth of counterfeit goods.
The North Carolina Secretary of State’s Office ran multiple investigative sweeps around the state, finding some of the same items that may have been purchased at places such as the State Fair. All of the illegitimate products were seized throughout October.
At a glance, a lot of the merchandise looks like the real deal. But a closer look reveals flaws that prove the items are counterfeit.
“If it appears to be of lesser construction, stringy, messy writing, misspelling, those are all absolute signs,” Secretary of State Elaine Marshall said. “You don’t have to know a whole lot about the actual configuration of the item to know that.”
Investigative sweeps during North Carolina A&T, Winston-Salem State, and North Carolina Central homecoming activities resulted in the seizure of an estimated $860,000 worth of goods. Much of the merchandise bore counterfeit collegiate and professional sports trademarks, as well as designer brands like Ray-Ban, Gucci, Rolex, Chanel, Louis Vitton, Polo, and Nike.
“It’s a criminal element,” Marshall said. “It’s unfair to regular merchants. It’s unfair to the State of North Carolina. And in this case, some of these merchandise or similar merchandise is for scholarship funds at the universities.”
Law enforcement also seized more than $208,000 in counterfeit merchandise, including more than 500 counterfeit Labubu plush dolls, watches, and T-shirts at the North Carolina State Fair.
An operation at the Hickory Flea Market resulted in the seizure of nearly $85,000 in counterfeit merchandise.
According Marshall, there were no arrests in any of these operations because the vendors surrendered the items voluntarily.
Marshall told NewsNation affiliate WNCN there’s a serious risk involved with these quick bargains. She advises North Carolina residents to be on the lookout because these counterfeit goods can pose a risk to health and safety.
“You’re supporting criminals, so I would hope that your moral compass would be a little stronger than your desire for a certain fashion thing,” she said. “You’re supporting bad people. You’re taking from other legitimate, hard-working people and store owners.
“I know everyone wants to find a bargain, but when you buy counterfeits, you are getting poor quality products, many with health and safety issues like loose parts that can be a choking hazard,” Marshall said. “You may be funding other dangerous ventures like organized crime, human trafficking, and terrorism. In addition, you are hurting local communities that rely on sales taxes to fund things, like police and fire services.”
The three investigative sweeps at local universities were at the request of and in coordination with the colleges.
Counterfeit safety and health products being sold can be reported to anticounterfeit@sosnc.gov