Customs agents recover 661 fake championship rings

INDIANAPOLIS — Customs agents in Indianapolis confiscated 661 counterfeit sports championship rings in three shipments that arrived from China, authorities said.

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In a news release, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized fake NFL and NBA championship rings at the Port of Indianapolis. Had the items been genuine, the total manufacturer’s suggested retail price would have topped $803,000.

The shipments included 285 bogus Los Angeles Lakers NBA championship rings, and Super Bowl rings for the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs (160), Green Bay Packers (154) and Miami Dolphins (62).

“Part of CBP’s mission is to protect American consumers from purchasing these counterfeit products,” LaFonda Sutton-Burke, director of field operations in Chicago, said in a statement. “This seizure illustrates our commitment to stopping counterfeit products from China and protecting our nation’s economy and consumers from those intent on defrauding businesses and consumers alike.”

It was the second time in two months that agents in Indianapolis had seized counterfeit rings. In early May, CBP agents confiscated 495 fake championship rings.

“This just goes to show you how criminals are using e-Commerce to ship their items to unsuspecting consumers endangering their personal health and safety, as well as damaging our economy,” Kerry Carter, acting port director in Indianapolis, said in a statement. “I want to congratulate our officers for their outstanding job. CBP is the first line of defense and we will continue to protect the health and safety of consumers.”

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