Counterfeit Championship Rings Are A Consistent Problem For U.S. Border Patrol

Earlier this week, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that officers at the Port of Cincinnati seized a massive shipment of counterfeit championship rings.

The shipment, which originated in Hong Kong and was set to be delivered to a small business in Utica, NY, consisted of 345 rings representing 18 different sports teams. According to the agency’s trade experts, the value of the rings would have been around $1.38 million — if they were real, that is.

Officers suspected these rings to be counterfeit based on their country of origin and low quality appearance.

"Our frontline officers at The Port of Cincinnati work tirelessly to protect consumers from illicit shipments," said LaFonda Sutton-Burke, director field operations in Chicago. "Profits from shipments like this one are often funneled into criminal organizations, and in return fund their illegal activities."

FLASHBACK TO 2021: Feds Seize Fake Steelers Super Bowl Rings Sent From China

This is the second time in just the past couple of months that CBP officers in Cincinnati have confiscated a heap of phony rings. In March, a shipment containing 90 fake championship rings came through The Queen City, including 40 2019 Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl rings, 20 1969 Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl Rings, 15 1985 Kansas City Royals rings, and 15 2022 Kansas Jayhawks championship rings. 

Each of the fake rings bore the registered trademarks for their respective professional leagues.

"With the influx on prices of goods, it is not uncommon to see consumers cutting back or looking for a good deal, but I encourage you to be cautious of third-party sellers," Cincinnati Port Director Alrick Brooks said.

To avoid scams, the agency recommends shoppers buy directly from trademark holders or authorized sellers. It's also a good idea to look for a retailer's working U.S. phone number when shopping online.