Knockoff Chanel, Tiffany & Co., Van Cleef & Arpels and Bottega Venata goods were found by investigators through 'Operation Worth-Less,' which was initiated by a tip.
Earlier this month investigators seized what would be comparable to nearly $2 million worth of designer and luxury goods at two locations of Blesk Jewelry including one on tony Worth Avenue. Blesk’s owner Olena Austin was arrested and charged with selling or offering to sell counterfeit goods of $20,000 or more in value, according to a redacted probable cause affidavit.
As counterfeiters have using 3D technology and other tools to create replicas and consumers’ thirst for designer brands has increased, unlicensed street vendors selling knockoffs have become more prevalent in New York City and other major cities, and other knockoff specialists are selling their goods online. Counterfeit luxury goods account for between 60 percent and 70 percent of the $4.
When a detective visited Blesk’s Worth Avenue store last month, a store employee told them the items in the store were “heavily influenced” designs, but not authentic. The detective then purchased a pair of-inspired earrings with two interlocking “C’s,” which the salesperson had presented as authentic 14-karat gold for $694 and wrote a receipt. A Chanel employee confirmed they were counterfeit late last month.
As for how shoppers can spot counterfeit goods, Rothrock said, “It’s important to recognize that maybe a deal is too good to be true. If it seems it might be too good to be true, it might be good to question those things.”
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