Counterfeit Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs Super Bowl rings seized by federal authorities
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If given the chance, how much would you pay for a Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV ring? Undoubtedly, it would be a lot more than a counterfeit version of the ring, right?
Fake memorabilia is on the market, but U.S. Customs and Border Protection said its officers last week seized 80 counterfeit Chiefs Super Bowl LIV rings.
It was part of a larger shipment that included 110 Atlanta Braves World Series rings, 30 Buccaneers’ Super Bowl LV rings and 10 Milwaukee Bucks NBA championship rings.
Officers in Louisville had detained the shipment, which arrived Thursday from China, and was headed to a residence in Wesley Chapel, Florida, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said in a news release.
A photo provided by the CBP shows at least one of the rings bears the name of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
“Counterfeit jewelry continues to flood e-commerce market and these rings were focused on a select group of sports collectors and their fans,” LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, director of field operations in Chicago, said in a release. “Our officers are well-trained to find counterfeit merchandise like these in support of CBP’s mission of protecting the American public and the American economy.”
The CBP estimated people in the United States spend more than $100 billion every year on intellectual property rights (IPR) infringing goods. That includes medicine, personal care items, shoes and, sports memorabilia.
Consumers should buy goods from reputable vendors, the CBP said.
“This is just another example of the work our officers do to protect consumers and the U.S. economy,” Thomas Mahn, the Louisville port director said in a release. “As consumers increasingly purchase from online or third-party vendors, our officers are at the frontline to guard against defrauders expecting to make money selling fake merchandise.”
That fake merchandise apparently includes counterfeit Mahomes Super Bowl rings.
