Federal authorities bust counterfeit Gibson guitar ring, seize thousands of fake instruments

The largest counterfeit musical instrument seizure on record occurred at the Los Angeles-Long Beach Seaport, where over 3,000 counterfeit Gibson electric guitars were confiscated by authorities. The guitars had a potential value of more than $18.7 million if they had been authentic. Authorities warned consumers to be cautious when purchasing goods from third-party online sources to avoid purchasing fraudulent items. The multiagency investigation intercepted the suspected cargo arriving from Asia in ocean containers, destined for the e-commerce market. Gibson, the well-known guitar brand, confirmed that the intercepted guitars were counterfeit and reiterated that authentic Gibson guitars are only made in the U.S. Gibson’s best-selling guitars can range from $2,000 to over $6,000, depending on the model. During a news conference, tips on spotting a fake guitar were provided, including checking logo placement and weight. Counterfeit goods pose a threat to consumer safety, as they are often made with inferior and dangerous materials in unsanitary conditions. Illicit proceeds from the sale of counterfeit goods can support various illegal activities. In the previous fiscal year, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized nearly 23 million counterfeit goods with a total manufacturer’s suggested retail price of over $2.7 billion, highlighting the ongoing issue of intellectual property theft.

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