Beware: Counterfeiters Are Selling Fake Super Bowl LI Tickets and Fake NFL Merchandise

HOUSTON, TX -- Super Bowl LI is only a few days away, and law enforcement officials are doing their best to halt the sale of bogus NFL merchandise and fake Super Bowl tickets to fans who’ve come to Houston for the game.

So what are counterfeit items, and how can the average fan spot them before they are taken advantage of or ripped off?

Spotting the fake NFL merchandise before paying isn’t that difficult, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agent John Halverson

ICE Agents say quality is the key, and that authentic NFL merchandise are well-made, which means the merchandise won’t have loose stitching, display off centered emblems on the front of the jersey, or fade.

Halverson said the real thing won’t come from a Craigslist ad, and will not only be high quality, but will display a unique NFL hologram tag.

Events like the Super Bowl typically bring out the counterfeiters, who all start well in advance of the game creating their merchandise.

However, federal investigators have been cracking too, and in fact have seized more than 260,000 counterfeit items worth about $20 million, over the last year.

Just last week, federal agents and investigators with the Houston Police arrested five people selling bogus merchandise and fake Super Bowl tickets in the Harwin area of Houston.

Law enforcement agents recommend that authentic Super Bowl tickets will have a raised emblem on front,and a multi-colored sticker with Houston’s skyline and thermographic ink on the back.

David Hirschmann, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Intellectual Property Center told KPRC that buyers should only purchase known brands from known sellers that bear the official holographic marks of authenticity.

If you think you’ve purchased fake merchandise or tickets, or know who’s selling it please contact law enforcement officials.

Image: US Customs via Flickr

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