March Counterfeiting Madness
Sports fans have many ways they can show their support for their favorite teams. Throw game watching parties, attend the games themselves, or outfit their vehicles with team colors. The most basic way, however, to show your love even for the most casual of fans is to wear your pride.
Unfortunately, counterfeiters are taking advantage of our sportsmanship and are making money off of cheap, illegal fakes. This week, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), in partnership with the Orlando Police Department and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office knocked out the criminals by seizing more than 2,500 pieces of knock-off NBA gear headed to the homes of unsuspecting fans in Orlando.
Counterfeiting is not a victimless crime. These crimes cost America thousands of jobs and devastate our much-needed economic growth. What many sports fans do not realize, however, is that through the purchase of counterfeit goods, our dollars are oftentimes being sent to support the operations of sophisticated criminal organizations.
The Chamber commends these law enforcement agencies for taking these criminals head-on and protecting American jobs and consumers.
