Local and federal authorities seized over 3,000 counterfeit Gibson electric guitars at the Los Angeles-Long Beach Seaport, marking the largest counterfeit musical instrument seizure on record. The fake guitars, if authentic, would have had a value of more than $18.7 million. Officials warned consumers to be cautious when purchasing goods from third-party sources to avoid falling victim to counterfeit products.
The seizure was the result of a multiagency investigation intercepting suspected cargo arriving from Asia in ocean containers. Gibson confirmed that the guitars were indeed counterfeit and emphasized that authentic Gibson guitars are only made in the U.S. Authorities did not provide specific details on the counterfeit operation or who was behind it, stating that the investigation was ongoing.
Gibson, founded in 1894, is a renowned guitar brand known for iconic models like Les Paul and SG. The company produces electric guitars in U.S. factories in Tennessee and acoustic guitars in Montana. With guitars costing thousands of dollars, spotting fake guitars requires attention to details like logo placement, weight, and finish issues.
Customs and Border Protection reported seizing nearly 23 million counterfeit goods during the 2023 fiscal year, with a total suggested retail price exceeding $2.7 billion. Counterfeit goods, particularly from China and Hong Kong, pose risks to consumers’ health and safety, damage legitimate businesses, and support illegal activities. Authorities reiterated the importance of identifying and avoiding counterfeit goods to protect consumers and legitimate businesses.
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