Counterfeit COVID-19 Masks Destined For Buffalo Grove Seized

CHICAGO — Twenty-four boxes containing counterfeit 3M masks were seized Monday at O'Hare International Airport, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The discovery of the 240 masks, addressed to a residence in Buffalo Grove, was made at the airport's mail branch.

The fake 3M 8822 Plus masks originated from South Korea. The parcels listed their contents as industrial masks and were selected for exam due to X-ray inconsistencies, according to authorities. Import specialists noted the poor packaging, low value and poor quality, and sent the masks to an authenticator. The masks were deemed to be counterfeit, an intellectual property rights violation.

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"Criminals are exploiting consumers during the ongoing pandemic for sheer greed," Shane Campbell, area port director for Chicago, said in a press release. "These counterfeit masks may not meet safety standards, which puts the public at risk, jeopardizing the health and well-being of everyone. CBP officers are highly trained and work diligently to protect the people of the United States."

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, criminal organizations are attempting to exploit the limited supply of and increased demand for some pharmaceuticals, personal protective equipment and other medical goods required to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Among other products, these criminals are smuggling and selling counterfeit safety equipment, unapproved COVID-19 test kits, unproven medicines and substandard hygiene products through the online marketplace.

To combat these criminal activities, CBP is targeting imports and exports that may contain counterfeit or illicit goods. The products in targeted shipments often include false or misleading claims, lack required warnings or lack proper approvals.