BEAUMONT, Texas — Police seized hundreds of counterfeit products Thursday from a Beaumont boutique and say they could have been worth more than $100,000, if only they weren't fakes.
Detectives with the Beaumont Police Department's financial crimes unit served a warrant at the boutique in the 2300 block of North St according to a Facebook post by the department.
Police received a tip that the boutique was selling counterfeit clothing, shoes, purses and jewelry.
While serving the warrant police say they seized hundreds of counterfeit items including fake products that were being passed off as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Nike, North Face, Versace, Burberry, Yves Saint Laurent, Prada, Chanel, Hermes, Christian Dior and others.
Police ask that anyone with information on this crime or the sale or purchase of counterfeit trademarked merchandise call them at (409) 832-1234 or Crime Stoppers.
Many people knowingly seek out counterfeit items like the ones seized, according to police.
If real, counterfeit products seized by cops could have been worth over $100,000
Fake, or counterfeit, products are meant to deceive and be passed off as the real item police said.
Products known as "dupes, knock-offs or inspired by" items that have similarities to the designer items can be legal as long they do not copy logos or trademarked features of the real pieces police said in the post.
Beaumont Police detectives are continuing to investigate and follow up on leads about sales of counterfeit items throughout Southeast Texas police said.
Police say the boutique is one of possibly dozens of small clandestine storefront or home-based businesses selling counterfeit items in the area.
Counterfeiting products is not a "harmless or victimless crime" according to police, who say that counterfeiting is often linked to human trafficking, drug smuggling, gang activity and child labor.
Fake "luxury goods" can also contribute to unethical labor and can subsidize organized crime as well as ruin the reputation of the real brands according to police.
Evy Knight is the owner of Twisted Gypsy, a boutique in Nederland.
She says she is passionate about using reputable vendors.
"Stay away from the pop ups that are on the computer trying to get you in to buy something because if it sounds to good, it's not good," Knight said. "We'll go to all the major markets around the country. So, when we go to the markets it's already verified that the items that we're purchasing are legit and they are the real thing."
As a business owner, Knight agrees that selling fake designer is often linked to harsher crimes.
"That transfers to where it came from. which is human trafficking, which is drugs and i am completely against that. so that's why we only source out through legitimate sources and that's going to a legitimate market places."
The Better Business Bureau of Southeast Texas provided a statement to 12News regarding the selling of counterfeit goods:
Better Business Bureau helps consumers by providing tips to prevent them from becoming a victim of a scam or fraudulent activity. It is critical to stay vigilant and become aware of the signs of a potential scam or counterfeit dealer. The first sign is an unreasonably low price. Although most people want a good deal or would prefer to pay a lower price, most high-end manufacturers do not sell their products at these low prices. Additionally, you can generally tell the products are knock-offs by the quality of the workmanship and the lack of manufacturer packaging. Another indicator is if the dealer only accepts cash or does not collect sales tax. Each of these should be red flags to the potential buyer.
Knight says as a mom and pop boutique, she and her other similar business owners struggle.
"So, the only thing I can say is when you go into a boutique and you find an item and you know that it's a designer item and it's marked down incredibly low, then you need to know that it's not legit," Knight said.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
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