Over $500k in knockoff watches and glasses headed for Pittsburgh seized

Customs officials say they intercepted a shipment that had well over a half million-dollars' worth of counterfeit Rolex watches and designer sunglasses that was to be have been delivered to an address here in Pittsburgh.

The shipment arrived from the United Arab Emirates back in April, containing 13 knock off watches and a dozen counterfeit sunglasses bearing brand names like Burberry, Chanel and Gucci.

The price of the shipment would have been valued at $573,200, if the products inside were authentic.

"Unsuspecting consumers could be victimized twice by counterfeit products, such as these fake Rolex watches, because they may end up paying close to authentic prices for cheaper knockoffs, and they'll learn that the product isn't warrantied should it need repair," said James Hindes, CBP's Acting Port Director in Pittsburgh. "Customs and Border Protection urges you to protect your families by purchasing authentic consumer products from reputable retailers."