Just before Super Bowl LIX, authorities seized $39.5 million dollars worth of fake sports merch! This year’s “Operation Team Player” uncovered 214,507 counterfeit items like jerseys, hats, and more. “It has become incredibly easy for criminals to create fake websites, online marketplaces, and social media ads offering deceptive deals with the sole intention of scamming sports fans,” Ivan J. Arvelo of the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center said. Since 2013, Operation Team Player has seized $455 million dollars worth of counterfeit merchandise. The IPR Center suggests fans should stick to trusted retailers, be careful when shopping online, and check for poor quality. (Tampa FP)
Phone Topic: Have you ever bought a fake when you thought you were getting the real thing?