New York Jewelry Wholesaler Pleads Guilty to Forging CBP Seal

A jewelry wholesaler has pleaded in federal court to forging the seal of a U.S. government federal agency. The guilty plea is the result of an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI).

Tejas Mehta, 36, was arrested Aug. 5, 2012, by OPR and IRS special agents for forging the seal of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). CBP is a component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Mehta, the owner of Saritijediam Inc., doing business as Design Trends, is a jeweler who conducts business in Manhattan's diamond district. He used the fraudulent CBP seal to allegedly steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from his business associates and other diamond and precious stones wholesalers.

According to court documents, Mehta received diamonds, jewelry and precious stones from other wholesalers under consignment. Once in his possession, he would sell the jewels. Instead of giving the proceeds to the owner of the merchandise as he agreed to do, he would falsely claim that he could not return or sell the merchandise because it had been seized by federal authorities.

Mehta defrauded three victims by accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in precious stone diamonds.

Mehta then allegedly made excuses and did not return the stones or any funds from the sale of the diamonds. He told the victim's attorney that the stones had been seized by federal authorities. He used the fraudulent seal to falsely state that the diamonds, precious stones and jewelry – which were consigned to him – had been seized by CBP.

This case is being prosecuted by the U.S Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York.

Woman Sentenced for Using Fake I.D. to Receive Government Benefits

A Twin Cities woman was sentenced in federal court Friday, January 18, 2013, for using an alternative identity to fraudulently receive government benefits, including more than $18,000 in Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Oluremi George, 53, of Woodbury, aka Victoria Ayoola, pleaded guilty to one count of Social Security fraud and one count of making false statements. She was sentenced to two years of probation, and was ordered to pay $18,114 in restitution. She was indicted July 10.

This sentence resulted from an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

"Identity fraud poses a serious security vulnerability, which often contributes to a host of other crimes – including the false identity and financial fraud in this case," said Michael Feinberg, special agent in charge for HSI St. Paul. "Targeting these schemes is an enforcement priority for HSI.  We are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to detect, investigate and dismantle identity fraud."

In her plea agreement, George admitted that she applied for, and received, a Social Security card under the name Victoria Ayoola Nov. 19, 1996. On the application, George indicated that she had never before been issued a Social Security number. However, she in fact had already received a Social Security number under the name Oluremi George, issued Nov. 26, 1991.

Since 1996, George had used both Social Security numbers and identities to apply for and renew Minnesota identification cards and driver's licenses, to seek and obtain employment, and to file federal and state tax returns. George also used the false identity to receive a lower monthly housing rental rate by qualifying for a LIHTC rental unit at Pondview Townhomes in Woodbury. George's fraud resulted in her underpaying more than $18,000 in rent since 2004.

Pondview is a low-income housing development that provides housing assistance to its residents through the use of HUD loans and funds, as well as through LIHTCs. To be eligible to live in one of the units, a person must make less than the federal annual tax credit income limit. In 2011, that limit for Washington County, where Woodbury is located, was $35,280.

In an effort to qualify for the subsidized housing unit, George certified that her anticipated 2011 income was $30,930, even though she knew it would actually be $55,887.13.

HSI was assisted in this case by the Social Security Administration's Office of Inspector General, HUD's Office of Inspector General, the U.S. State Department's Diplomatic Security Service, and the Minnesota State Patrol, with assistance from the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office.

ICE IMAGE Program Certifies 21 Puerto Rican Companies for Good Employment and Immigration Practices

Twenty-one businesses representing the automotive, marketing, healthcare, restaurant, security, agriculture, food and telecommunications industries became the latest employers to partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to strengthen their hiring practices, reduce fraud and ensure they employ a legal workforce.

The 21 companies officially became members of ICE's Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers (IMAGE) Thursday, December 6, 2012, during the largest IMAGE signing ceremony since inception of the program. IMAGE is a voluntary program that allows private sector businesses to partner with ICE to reduce unauthorized employment and the use of fraudulent identity documents. As a result, a participating employer is able to maintain a more secure, stable workforce.

"I am pleased to welcome these companies as IMAGE partners," said Deputy Assistant Director of the HSI Transnational Crime and Public Safety Division Waldemar Rodriguez, who has been working closely with company officials in the IMAGE participation process. "This action sends a strong message to the thousands of Puerto Ricans who do business with these companies that the company places a priority on hiring and employing a legal workforce."

"Our IMAGE partnerships enable us to recognize the highest level of employment integrity and foster best hiring practices," said Angel Melendez, acting special agent in charge of HSI San Juan. "When employers make a commitment to hire and maintain a lawful workforce, it's good for their business and it's good for the community. In tough economic times, companies like these, who join IMAGE, have made a commitment to protecting our nation's lawful workforce."

Artic-kar Inc. is an auto processing company in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean with more than 500,000 vehicles processed to date. With more than 30 years in the automotive industry, Artic-Kar provides its business partners with inspection, logistics, transportation and installation services. The company has its headquarters in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, with operations in Cataño and Toa Baja, Puerto Rico.

BBDO Puerto Rico Inc. is a marketing and publicity company with 15,000 employees in 289 offices across 81 countries. Their core competencies include advertising, branding, email marketing, mobile and social media, strategy and planning, interactive marketing, direct marketing and design.

Ciracet Corp. is dedicated to the management of healthcare technology and consulting. Comprised of engineers and healthcare professionals, their combined experience allows them to engineer new tools in the medical profession. With more than 60 years of combined experience, Ciracet Corp. provides healthcare in general with engineering tools that can be used during the entire life cycle of medical technology to enhance patient care services, improve healthcare facilities operations and maximize the cost effectiveness of those services.

El Meson Sandwiches Inc. and QSR Champs Inc. are two Puerto Rican franchise businesses with 36 establishments throughout the island with a current workforce of approximately 1,500 employees. QSR Champs Inc. provides administrative support to Meso Express Inc., El Meson Sandwiches Inc., and Western Meat Processors Inc.

Garaje Isla Verde, LLC is the exclusive dealer of Mercedes Benz vehicles in Puerto Rico. The company is currently one of the most recognized companies on the island for their product and service.

G4S Secure Solutions Puerto Rico Inc. is a United Kingdom subsidiary that provides full service security services, including monitoring station, field supervision, risk assessment, contract risk management, mobile patrol, executive protection, security cameras, signal monitored burglary and fire alarms, vehicular tracking and access control systems among other services.

Hacienda Santa Elena Inc., RF (MT Llanos) Inc., and Ganaderias del Sur, S.E. are a cattle breeding, calf raising, hay and silage farms and affiliates of Empresas Fonalledas.

Meso Express is a popular hometown eatery that serves full hot breakfasts and hot grilled Caribbean sandwiches. It is a Puerto Rican business with three establishments located in gas stations and shopping mall food courts in the San Juan metropolitan area.

Plaza del Caribe Inc. is the main shopping mall facility in southern Puerto Rico and an affiliate of Empresas Fonalledas.

Plaza Las Americas Inc. is the main shopping mall facility in Puerto Rico and an affiliate of Empresas Fonalledas.

San Jorge Children's Hospital provides healthcare services for children in Puerto Rico and the islands of the Caribbean. The hospital has a workforce of approximately 450 employees.

Soft & Creamy Inc. is an ice cream company chain and an affiliate of Empresas Fonalledas with approximately 100 employees.

Stryker Instruments Puerto Rico Inc. is a global orthopedic company operating in Puerto Rico for the past 30 years. The company has a workforce of approximately 1,000 employees.

Supermercados Maximo Inc. is a local supermarket company with a workforce of approximately 1,600 employees in its 15 stores.

V. Suarez & Co. Inc. is one of Puerto Rico's largest commercial groups and one of the largest Hispanic firms in the United States. The company is diversified in three distinct businesses: food and beverage distribution, investment management and real estate.

Western Meat Processors is a meat processing company that delivers all food supplies for the El Meson Sandwiches and Meso Express establishments.

Worldnet Telecommunications Inc. is the third largest provider of internet and telecommunications services in Puerto Rico. The company has a workforce of approximately 200 employees.

Undocumented workers create vulnerabilities in today's marketplace by presenting false documents to gain employment, completing applications for fraudulent benefits, and stealing identities of legal United States workers. To combat this, ICE initiated the IMAGE program in 2006.

As part of the IMAGE program, ICE provides private companies with education and training on proper hiring procedures, including use of employment screening tools such as E-Verify. IMAGE certified companies also undergo an audit of their I-9 forms to ensure current employees are eligible to work in the United States.

Puerto Rico employers interested in learning more about IMAGE membership may call the ICE IMAGE coordinator in San Juan at 787-729-5151 or visit www.ICE.gov/IMAGE.

Joint HSI and IRS Probe Arrests 53 for Identity Theft, Tax Fraud, and Government Theft

Fifty-three individuals charged with theft of government property and identity theft were arrested Wednesday, November 14, 2012, in several municipalities of Puerto Rico following a joint Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) probe.

The case involves a scheme to defraud the United States by fraudulently obtaining and converting to cash U.S. Treasury checks issued by the IRS in connection with fraudulent tax returns filed with the agency. As part of the scheme, tax returns were filed using the personal identifying information of individuals, when in reality, said individuals never filed such tax returns with the IRS. The investigation has revealed that the fraudulent tax returns were filed without the consent of the taxpayers who appear in the returns.

The majority of the defendants would attempt to negotiate the Treasury checks by depositing them in their accounts at financial institutions such as banks and credit unions. Other defendants cashed or attempted to cash the checks at post offices. When a defendant attempted to cash the check at a post office, he or she would present a false identification document such as a driver's license.

If convicted, the defendants face a maximum possible sentence of 10 years on the theft of government property charge, plus two consecutive years if convicted on the aggravated identity theft charge. The investigation is ongoing.

The case is being investigated by the IRS, Criminal Investigation Division, with the collaboration of HSI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Secret Service, and is being prosecuted by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria A. Dominguez. The Puerto Rico Police Department and the San Juan Municipal Police participated in the arrests.

ICE encourages the public to report suspected fraud and identity theft-related information by calling 1-866-DHS-2ICE.

Hawaiian Men Sentenced for $1.6 Million Ponzi-Style Fraud Scheme

Three men who led a Ponzi-style scheme that defrauded investors of more than $1.6 million were sentenced in federal court Thursday, September 13, 2012, following a joint investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Syed Qadri, 39, Ruben Carrillo Gonzalez, 50, and Jeffrey Greenhut, 40, were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Leslie E. Kobayashi to 51 months, 41 months and 24 months in federal prison, respectively. The trio, who pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges in September 2010, were also ordered to pay restitution to the victims of the scheme.

In addition to the defendants, Qadri's wife, Patricia Roszkowski, 48, was also sentenced to one month in prison for filing a fraudulent credit application with a local bank as part of the scheme.

According to court documents, the three men schemed to defraud investors through two Honolulu companies, Amasse Capital, LLC, and Solomon & Co., LLC. The trio operated a Ponzi-style scheme in which the companies purportedly invested in high yield bonds that exposed investors' principal to minimal risk, when, in reality, the investments were used to pay back earlier investors, with the remainder of funds converted to Qadri's personal use. The net loss to victims as a result of the scheme was more than $1.6 million.

Qadri, who led the fraud scheme, served as Amasse Capital's president and chief executive officer. He and Roszkowski lived in a luxurious Kahala residence, purchased several expensive cars and leased an entire floor in a downtown office building. Gonzalez served as Amasse Capital's senior vice president of marketing and was responsible for soliciting investors. Greenhut, Amasse Capital's chief operating officer, managed investor funds.

Amasse Capital was marketed as an investment firm registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company's prospectus listed the defendants as management and members of the board of directors and made false claims about the experience of the defendants in order to induce investment. Additionally, the prospectus contained false statements about the business activity, capability and financial stability of the company. Qadri and Gonzalez claimed that the companies could return 100 to 400 percent monthly interest on investments.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chris Thomas and Ronald Johnson of the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Hawaii.

Arrests for 4 Floridians in Immigration Fraud Scam

Four individuals were arrested in Naples, Fla., Aug. 31, for conspiring to commit immigration fraud.  These arrests resulted from an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Office of Professional Responsibility, ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and the Collier County Sheriff's Office.

The indictment alleges the defendants conspired to sell fraudulent Cuban birth certificates and to assist in the preparation of fraudulent applications for immigration benefits. 

Nelson Daniel Silvestri Soutto, 53,  Laura Maria Ponce Santos, 59, and Amelia Osorio, 60,  all of Naples, Fla., Fidel Morejon Vega, 40, of Kissimmee, Fla.,  were indicted by a federal grand jury in Miami for conspiring to commit immigration fraud.  Vega was also charged with three counts of false impersonation of an officer of the United States. 

ICE Holds Symposium to Combat American Brand Theft and Merchandise Counterfeit

Brand holders and intellectual property rights experts with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) led an all-day symposium Thursday, August 23, 2012, aimed at combating brand theft and merchandise counterfeiting.

The one-day event hosted by ICE's National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) was held at the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation's police academy in Richfield.

"Events like these are a key element in the overall strategy to protect American brands and jobs," said Brian M. Moskowitz, special agent in charge of ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Michigan and Ohio. "Educating the public and industry is an important force multiplier in the effort to fight intellectual property rights theft."

The event included presentations from Amber Lilly, Deere and Company, maker of John Deere-branded products; Underwriter Laboratories; and other brand holders.

The symposium centered on actions taken by both the U.S. government and those in the IP industry to combat counterfeit merchandise and intellectual property rights violations. Break-out sessions discussed current trends in counterfeiting, emerging threats, as well as detection methods and best practices in enforcement.

HSI special agents also cited case examples that linked IP theft with other criminal activity. Brand protection officers from several corporations provided information on threat detection and other investigative techniques.

A key message stressed at the event was that counterfeiting and brand theft can result in significant criminal and civil penalties.

Conspiracy to traffic counterfeit goods carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gain or loss resulting from the conspiracy. The maximum penalty for each count of trafficking in counterfeit goods is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $2 million fine. Counterfeit goods are also subject to seizure and destruction and proceeds derived from such criminal activity are subject to forfeiture.

The IPR Center is a major player in the fight against criminal counterfeiting (piracy). In May, the center rolled out a new anti-piracy warning that will be featured in forthcoming DVDs and Blue Ray releases, replacing the former warning.

As a task force, the IPR Center uses the expertise of its 21 member agencies to share information, develop initiatives, coordinate enforcement actions and conduct investigations related to IP theft. Through this strategic interagency partnership, the IPR Center protects the public's health and safety, the U.S. economy and American warfighters.

ICE is the federal government's lead agency investigating intellectual property theft. The International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition estimates that counterfeiting costs U.S. businesses between $200 and $500 billion each year and more than 750,000 American jobs.

Two Illinois Women Sentenced for Counterfeit Luxury Ring

Two women were sentenced in federal court Monday, August 13, 2012, for conspiring to traffic counterfeit merchandise in the Rockford, Ill., area. The sentences resulted from a joint investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bloomington Police Department, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

Jannette Grant, 51, of Bloomington, Ill., and Kimberly Nein, 50, of Argenta, Ill., who did business as "The Purse Lady," were sentenced Aug. 13 for trafficking in counterfeit goods. U.S. District Judge Joe Billy McDade, Central District of Illinois, sentenced Grant to 36 months in federal prison; and sentenced Nein to serve 24 months in federal prison. Both women were ordered to pay $3,879 restitution. They will report to the Bureau of Prisons Oct. 9 to begin serving their respective prison terms.

On April 25, Grant and Nein each waived indictment and pleaded guilty to operating a business known as "The Purse Lady" that sold counterfeit items bearing various trademarks, including: Coach, Kate Spade, Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel, Dooney & Bourke, Prada, Tiffany & Co., and others. Goods were sold throughout central Illinois, including at various businesses, home parties, also known as "purse parties," through the mail, and at an Argenta warehouse owned by Nein.

Grant and Nein admitted they regularly traveled to Chicago and New York to purchase inventory. According to court documents, Grant and Nein advertised their items for sale as "replica/knockoff," and stated that all references to brands were for "entertainment and novelty purposes only," and "these companies are not affiliated with us in any way."

During search warrants executed by law enforcement officers May 12 at Grant's home and at Nein's Argenta warehouse, officers recovered more than 15,000 counterfeit items with a total estimated manufacturer's suggested retail price of about $1.6 million. The seized luxury goods included 2,000 purses, 900 wallets, 400 sunglasses, 10,900 emblems and medallions, and other items.

Officers recovered various items that Grant surrendered, including a 2008 Dodge Caravan, a 2003 BMW, and $18,052 in currency at her home. Officers also recovered $4,487 from the business's bank account and $80,000 held in a safe deposit box. Grant previously agreed to forfeit $47,522, the amount Grant had paid on two homes in Bloomington, Ill., in lieu of forfeiting real estate.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Darilynn J. Knauss, Central District of Illinois, prosecuted this case.

Former CBP Officer Sentenced to 115 Days for Investment Fraud

A former San Diego-area officer for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) who defrauded individuals after promising to invest their money in a technical school was sentenced Friday, July 27, 2012, to 115 days in federal prison, following a probe by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR).

Dario Tomas, 53, of Oceanside, pleaded guilty in June to wire fraud after admitting he swindled $240,000 from two victims as part of a financial scheme he orchestrated while working for CBP in Busan, Korea, in 2007.

Tomas admitted to falsely promising the two investors, a U.S. serviceman and a South Korean national, that their money would go toward building a computer training school in the Philippines. Tomas furthered the scheme by sending electronic messages to the investors using fraudulent email accounts he set up under other people's names, and by making phone calls so it would appear the project was progressing. Tomas later admitted he lost the money gambling.

Tomas was arrested in October 2010 by special agents with ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) assigned to the agency's attaché office in Manila, aided by officers from the U.S. Diplomatic Security Service and the Philippine National Bureau of Investigations. Tomas was then extradited to South Korea where he served a two-year prison term for the offense.

In April, Tomas was released from prison in South Korea and deported to the U.S. to face federal fraud charges brought in Southern California.

At his sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge Janis L. Sammarinto also ordered Tomas to pay $240,000 in restitution to the two victims.

Two Sentenced for Illegal Prescription Drug Trade

Two Israeli citizens pleaded guilty Monday, April 23, and were sentenced for smuggling counterfeit and misbranded pharmaceuticals into the United States, including the erectile dysfunction drug marketed in the United States as Cialis®. The sentences resulted from an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Office of Criminal Investigation for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, with essential assistance from the Israeli National Police.

Benny Carmi, 59, and Moshe Dahan, 39, appeared April 23 before Federal District Court Judge Carol E. Jackson in the Eastern District of Missouri.

Carmi admitted that he introduced misbranded prescription drugs into interstate commerce, smuggled prescription drugs into the United States, and sold counterfeit prescription drugs. Carmi was sentenced to 10 months in prison and must pay a criminal fine of $30,000 and forfeit $50,000 to the United States.

Dahan also admitted to smuggling prescription drugs into the United States. He was sentenced to one year of probation and is required to pay a $15,000 fine. Dahan paid a forfeiture of $15,000 to the United States.

"Counterfeit pharmaceuticals pose a very serious threat to our public health and safety," said Gary Hartwig, special agent in charge of HSI Chicago. "People shouldn't have to put their health in jeopardy because they bought a prescription drug online that is fake, substandard, tainted or untested. HSI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to keep imposter drugs off the street and aggressively pursue those who place consumers at risk for their own financial gain."

According to court documents and testimony from the hearings on Monday, April, 23, both men operated an Internet business in Israel that used multiple websites, including "allpillsrx.com," "newpharm.net," "pharmacy-on-line.com," "pharmacy-on-line.com," and "pharmacy-pal.com," to illegally sell large amounts of prescription drugs to U.S. purchasers. About 9,029 separate drug shipments to were sent to purchasers in the United States, generating about $1,475,363 in gross proceeds.

Carmi and Dahan were prosecuted after the government conducted a series of undercover purchases on some of the defendants' Internet websites and ordered prescription drugs and controlled substances, including the drug marketed in the United States as Meridia®, without providing a valid prescription from a qualified health care professional. In response, the defendants shipped a number of drug packages to shipping addresses located in the Eastern District of Missouri containing prescription drugs.

Typically, packages containing drugs were imported to St. Louis, Mo. from China and India, with the exterior packaging falsely describing the contents of the shipments as "gifts" that had "no commercial value."

Laboratory test results of samples of the drugs obtained through defendants' Internet websites revealed that these drugs were not genuine versions of the drugs that had been manufactured in FDA-approved drug manufacturing plants in accordance with federal law.

Moreover, some of defendants' drugs were sub-potent, containing less than the amount of active drug ingredient than what was specified in the labeling for the drugs.

The defendants are also forfeiting the Internet domain names of their illegal drug websites.

"The FDA-Office of Criminal Investigations will continue to work with our international and domestic law enforcement partners to bring to justice those who seek to sell counterfeit, adulterated and misbranded pharmaceuticals to U.S. citizens via the Internet." said Patrick J. Holland, Special Agent in Charge of the Kansas City Field Office, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations."

This case is part of HSI's Operation Guardian, a multi-agency effort to combat the increasing important of substandard, tainted and counterfeit products that pose a health and safety risk to consumers.

ICE Seizes Almost $900,000 in Counterfeit Goods at Texas Flea Market

Special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Sunday, April 15, seized nearly 20,000 counterfeit items with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of nearly $900,000, at the local Fox Plaza flea market.

The enforcement operation was part of the continuing efforts of HSI's Commercial Fraud Group, and the Southwest Border Financial Operations and Currency United Strike Force (FOCUS) to track down individuals who sell counterfeit and pirated products.

It took HSI special agents a few days to count the following seized items and identify the MSRP:

·                             8,911 DVDs with an MSRP of $122,210.72;

·                             10,669 CDs with an MSRP of $128,454.76; and

·                             1,728 items, including handbags, NFL merchandise and NIKE-brand sneakers with an MSRP of   $648,409.15.

A total of 21,308 items were seized with an MSRP of $899,074.63.

The following Border Enforcement Task Force members also participated in the operation; U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission, and the El Paso Sheriff's Department. Trademark representatives were on site to authenticate merchandise. Representatives of the Recording Industry Association of America and the Motion Picture Association of America also assisted.

"Counterfeiting is a significant problem that affects our economy, impacts American jobs, and puts the public's health and safety at risk," said Dennis A. Ulrich, special agent in charge for HSI El Paso. "Consumers who buy pirated products may also be funding criminal organizations with their purchases."

Operations such as the one conducted at the Fox Plaza Flea Market are coordinated through the HSI-led National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center, one of the U.S. government's key weapons in the fight against criminal counterfeiting and piracy. The IPR Center uses the expertise of its 20 member agencies to share information, develop initiatives, coordinate enforcement actions and conduct investigations related to IP theft. Through this strategic interagency partnership, the IPR Center protects the public's health and safety, the U.S. economy and the war fighters. To report IP theft or to learn more about the IPR Center, visit www.IPRCenter.gov.