Nearly $1M Of Counterfeit Smartphones Seized In Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA — Nearly $1 million worth of fake smartphones were seized in Philadelphia recently, according to Customs and Border Protection officials.

CBP officers recently seized a combined 4,449 counterfeit LG and ASUS smartphones in Philadelphia, that, if authentic, would have a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $941,450 total.

The first shipment of 2,043 counterfeit LG phones was seized on July 26. The second shipment of 1,926 LG and 480 ASUS counterfeit smartphones was seized on August 9.

Both shipments transited from China through the Dominican Republic to Philadelphia and were manifested as "cell phones used." The phones will be destroyed, officials said.

During both seizures, officers inspected the shipment and submitted samples to CBP’s Electronics Centers for Excellence and Expertise, the agency’s trade experts, to determine authenticity of trademarks.

Consumer safety and trademark protection is one of Customs and Border Protection’s top trade enforcement priorities.

"In addition to substantial theft suffered by the lawful trademark holders, these counterfeit smartphones may also pose a financial security and health threat to American consumers due to the installation of identity theft software on the phones or the potential for counterfeit batteries to overheat and burn consumers,” said Casey Durst, CBP Director of Field Operations in Baltimore. “Customs and Border Protection officers will continue to work closely with our trade and consumer safety partners to identify and seize imported counterfeit merchandise, especially those products that pose potential harm to American consumers."