In a major setback to counterfeiters trying to get into the US postal system, US Border Patrol authorities recently seized about 162,000 fake US “Forever” stamps that were being transported from China at a mail facility in Chicago.
Authorities say the stamps were confiscated by Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team (A-TCET) personnel stationed at the Chicago International Mail Branch during normal inspections. A total of 161,860 counterfeit stamps were found in the shipments, which were reported for breaking US trademark regulations.
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers conducted the operation over the weekend after spotting indications of tampering, such as low invoice values, shoddy printing, and questionable routing, which led them to identify the fake stamps.
Additionally, the fake stamps were hidden with “extraordinary” care, indicating that the counterfeiters’ techniques were becoming more complex. The stamps would have been worth more than $118,000 if they had been authentic. Given the size and extent of the operation, it is alarming that counterfeit stamps are still in use in the US mail system.
CBP regularly examines incoming and outgoing packages as well as foreign postal shipments to make sure they comply with federal regulations, particularly those pertaining to intellectual property crimes and counterfeiting.
In order to protect customers, companies, and the postal system against illicit goods that can compromise the postal service’s integrity, the agency’s involvement in intercepting these shipments is essential.
In this instance, the stamps were identified after agents saw the poor printing and design quality of the stamps and the unusually low value of the invoices that came with the shipments.
Industry experts have cautioned that as counterfeiting operations become more sophisticated, it would become harder for customers to identify phony goods. Many people find it nearly impossible to tell the difference between genuine and fake postage, particularly those who are not familiar with postal procedures or stamp patterns.
“Counterfeiters only care about making a profit. They don’t care about the effect that fake postage has on your ability to send important mail and overall impacts the US economy,” LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, Director of Field Operations-Chicago stated.
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“Our officers and specialists are some of the most highly trained in the nation, and their level of expertise is evident with these seizures. CBP officers were able to identify these very realistic counterfeits and stop them from reaching their destinations.”
The use of phony stamps has thus become a major problem, especially during peak card-sending occasions like Valentine’s Day and other important holidays. Because of the spike in demand for stamps during certain periods, counterfeiters have a great chance to prey on unsuspecting customers.
It was determined that the counterfeit stamps found in Chicago were poor replicas of the authentic US “Forever” stamps, which are only made by the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing. In order to reduce the possibility of counterfeiting, these official stamps are meticulously created and regularly examined.
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The confiscated stamps, on the other hand, lacked the fine craftsmanship and complex design elements that one would anticipate from authentic US postage.
The ongoing fight against counterfeit goods in the postal system is highlighted by the recent seizure. Authorities have increased their efforts to combat fraudulent items, including counterfeit stamps, as a result of the growth of online shopping and international trade.
Customers and postal workers must continue to exercise caution and report any suspicious shipments to authorities in order to assist prevent these illicit activities, especially as counterfeit operations get more com
