$560,000 worth of fake NBA championship rings seized at LAX
LOS ANGELES - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at Los Angeles International Airport recently seized 28 counterfeit NBA championship rings that were reportedly being shipped to the U.S. with the apparent intent to be sold as a collection. If genuine, the seized rings would have had an estimated retail price of $560,000.
CBP officers discovered the rings while conducting an enforcement exam on a shipment arriving from China with a final destination in Arizona. The rings were found inside of a wooden box, CBP officials said.
Import specialists confirmed that the designs and wordmarks were in violation of the Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Detroit Pistons, Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Air Jordan and NBA trophy design protected trademarks.
"Scammers take advantage of collectors and pro-basketball fans desiring to obtain a piece of sports history," said Carlos C. Martel, CBP Director of Field Operations in Los Angeles. "This seizure illustrates how CBP officers and import specialists protect not only trademarks, but most importantly, the American consumer."
Legitimate NBA championship ring prices range between $10,000 and $40,000 and in some cases over $200,000.