Nearly 162K counterfeit US 'forever' stamps from China seized in Chicago
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Signed, sealed and busted. 

US Border Patrol officers discovered about 162,000 fake US “forever” stamps that had originated from China at a mail center in Chicago.

At the Chicago International Mail Branch last week, agents specializing in anti-terrorism contraband intercepted eight shipments containing 161,860 counterfeit stamps that infringed on trademark laws, stated US Customs and Border Protection.


US Border patrol seized 161,860 fake US stamps shipped from China.
US Border patrol seized 161,860 fake US stamps shipped from China. CBP.gov

If real, the stamps would be worth more than $118,000.

The agency, responsible for inspecting packages on international flights, took notice of the poor quality, unusually low declared value, inconsistencies in routing, and the extensive attempts made to conceal the illegal stamps.


The eight shipments of counterfeit stamps were found at the Chicago International Mail Branch.
The eight shipments of counterfeit stamps were found at the Chicago International Mail Branch. Christopher Sadowski

“Counterfeiters only care about making a profit. They don’t care about the effect that fake postage has on your ability to send important mail and overall impacts the US economy,” LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, Director of Field Operations-Chicago, said in a statement.

“Our officers and specialists are some of the most highly trained in the nation, and their level of expertise is evident with these seizures. CBP officers were able to identify these very realistic counterfeits and stop them from reaching their destinations.”

With counterfeiting becoming more advanced — with most consumers unable to detect a difference — officials said there’s been an uptick in fake stamps around high volume card holidays, like Valentine’s Day.

Authentic postage stamps are produced at the US Bureau of Engraving & Printing in the US.

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