Police Seize $101M in Fake Luxury Goods in North Texas

(KNUE-FM) When you’re buying something online, whether you meet someone here in Texas or buy from an online retailer, you’re hoping that the products you buy are authentic. Unfortunately, there are tons of fake products that are sold online but recently police in North Texas seized more than 62,000 counterfeit luxury items following a social media-based scam investigation.

Police Investigate Counterfeit Luxury Sales Online

According to WFAA, a man was arrested with more than 62,000 suspected counterfeit luxury items following a multi-agency investigation into a social-media-based distribution operation.

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Police Investigate Counterfeit Luxury Sales Online

Police began the investigation on February 9 after they got a tip that counterfeit merchandise was being sold through Facebook Live and distributed from different locations around Rowlett.

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Thousands of Fake Luxury Items Seized

An arrest was made on February 17, detectives arrested a man and seized 62,692 pieces of counterfeit merchandise, approximately $208,000 in cash and a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado. The merchandise, if it were real, would have an estimated value of around $101.6 million and if sold on the streets, it would have made around $995,276.

The man arrested, Orlando Gonzales-Marcella was charged with trademark counterfeiting more than $300,000, which is a first-degree felony. He is currently in the Dallas County Jail. There is also an active warrant for Aida Karina Lopez Alvarrez who police are currently searching for.

Police say law enforcement agencies helping in this case include Rowlett Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office, and Homeland Security Investigations. Also assisting were anti-counterfeit experts representing brands including Cartier, Chanel, Dior, Coach, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Prada.