Two New Yorkers of one of the largest counterfeit luxury goods groups were convicted this week for their involvement in an international manufacturing import and wholesale counterfeit business. Chong Lam and Siu Yung Chan were found guilty of conspiracy to traffic counterfeit goods, trafficking counterfeit designer handbags, wallets, and other bag and illegally smuggling counterfeit goods. The goods were imported from China between 2002 and 2005.
They controlled operations in 13 companies in the U.S. and abroad and 8 factories that produced the counterfeit goods. U.S. Customs and Border Protection confiscated container upon container of counterfeit goods imported from China. The defendants had imports 300,000 knock-off goods from China, including Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Coach, Fendi and Coach, under the guise of their 13 companies.
The defendants face five years in prison and $250,000 fine for conspiracy, 10 years and $2 million fine for trafficking and 5 years and $250,000 for smuggling. (Source: Laura Clapper, Business Review USA, Jun 13, 2010).