Alabama Counterfeit Crime Ring? CBP Nabs These FAKE Stamps Worth $146,000!
U.S. Customs seizes 200,000 counterfeit Forever Stamps from Hong Kong at Alabama port. đ #News #BirminghamAL #Alabama #Crime
BIRMINGHAM, AL – A massive haul of fake stamps has been uncovered at Alabamaâs Port of Birmingham, where U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers recently intercepted two suspicious packages from Hong Kong. Inside, they found 200,000 counterfeit U.S. Forever Stampsâenough to raise eyebrows and spark a federal crackdown. This bust marks the second major seizure of fraudulent stamps in just weeks, putting a spotlight on the growing problem of counterfeit goods slipping into the country.
Bust at Birmingham Port
CBP officers zeroed in on the packages during a routine operation at the Port of Birmingham.
At first glance, the stamps looked like the real dealâauthentic U.S. Forever Stamps anyone could use to mail a letter. But a closer look revealed the truth: they were fakes, violating several Intellectual Property Rights laws.
The shipment, originating in Hong Kong, carried a street value of $146,000 if the stamps had been genuine.
A Pattern of Fraud
This isnât an isolated incident. Just weeks ago, CBP officers in Chicagoâs International Mail Branch confiscated 161,860 counterfeit Forever Stamps arriving from China. Those fakes would have been worth $118,000 if real.
The two seizures signal a troubling trend, with counterfeit stamps flooding in from overseas. CBP data shows China and Hong Kong dominate the counterfeit game, responsible for about 90% of all Intellectual Property Rights seizures in fiscal year 2024.
CBP Fights Back
âProtecting America begins with the shared commitment and determination of dedicated CBP Officers, Agriculture Specialists, and support staff. Together, they play a vital role in safeguarding consumers and businesses from counterfeit goods. Economic security is national security,” said Steve Robinson, CBP Birmingham Port Director, in a statement.
The agency isnât tackling this aloneâHomeland Security Investigations and U.S. Postal Inspectors are joining the effort to stop these illegal imports in their tracks.
Whatâs Next?
With 200,000 fake stamps off the market, CBPâs latest seizure at the Port of Birmingham exposes the scale of counterfeit operations targeting the U.S. Postal Service.
As authorities tighten their grip, the focus remains on keeping fraudulent goods from reaching American mailboxes. For now, the stamps that couldâve mailed thousands of letters are locked awayâevidence of a crime thwarted just in time.
RELATED TOPICS: Alabama | China | Crime
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