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Cheektowaga Man Sold Counterfeit Airbags on eBay
A Cheektowaga man pleaded guilty to operating a counterfeiting ring that sold hundreds of fake airbags on eBay, authorities said.
Raymond Whelan, 49, admitted to conspiring to traffic in counterfeit goods, a charge that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $2,000,000 fine.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo, Whelan operated an eBay store called Rayscarparts71, where he sold more than 360 counterfeit airbags bearing the trademarks of major auto manufacturers, including Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Subaru, Mazda, Hyundai, Acura, and Mitsubishi.
The airbags were mislabeled to avoid detection during importation and were sold as genuine used airbags on eBay. The total infringement amount was $236,600, with each airbag selling for an average of $650.
Co-defendant David Nichols was previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing. Whelan’s plea is the result of an investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, and Customs and Border Protection.
Whelan is scheduled to be sentenced on December 17, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. Customs and Border Protection’s Rose Brophy, Director of Field Operations, praised the investigation, saying it would help protect consumers from counterfeit goods.
The case highlights the growing threat of counterfeiting on the internet, where consumers can easily fall prey to fake goods. Authorities urge consumers to be cautious when buying goods online and to verify the authenticity of products before making a purchase.
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: White Collar Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Cybercrime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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