Massive Haul: CBP Intercepts Thousands of Fake Stamps in Chicago

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Chicago thwarted a massive counterfeit stamp operation, seizing over 161,000 fake Forever stamps from China.

Key Takeaways

CBP officers seized 161,000+ counterfeit U.S. Forever stamps from China at Chicago International Mail Branch.
The fake stamps, if sold as genuine, would have been valued at over $118,000.
Counterfeiters used deceptive practices like suspicious invoicing and concealment to avoid detection.
The incident highlights the increasing sophistication of counterfeit operations, especially during high-volume mailing seasons.
CBP advises the public to remain vigilant and understand the features of authentic stamps.

Massive Seizure of Counterfeit Stamps

In a significant blow to international counterfeiters, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Chicago International Mail Branch have intercepted and seized a shipment containing over 161,000 counterfeit U.S. Forever stamps originating from China. The fraudulent stamps, if sold as genuine, would have amounted to a staggering value surpassing $118,000, highlighting the potential economic impact of this illicit trade.

The seizure occurred across eight separate shipments, each violating trademark laws. CBP officers demonstrated their expertise by identifying these fake stamps through various red flags, including suspiciously low invoice values, unusual routing patterns, and deliberate concealment efforts employed by the counterfeiters.

161 fake forever stamps seized in Chicago. Interesting https://t.co/nr8xTMKbuO

— LadyD (@LadyD66158293) February 16, 2025

Sophisticated Counterfeiting Poses Risks

LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, CBP’s director of Field Operations in Chicago, praised the officers’ efforts in preventing counterfeiters from profiting at the expense of American consumers and the U.S. economy stating “Counterfeiters only care about making a profit, They don’t care about the effect that fake postage has on your ability to send important mail and overall impacts the U.S. economy.”. The quality of these counterfeit stamps was described as “very realistic,” underscoring the increasing sophistication of fake postage production.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by law enforcement in combating counterfeit operations. As the quality of fake stamps improves, it becomes increasingly difficult for consumers to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit postage, potentially leading to widespread fraud and economic losses.

Holiday Season Vigilance

CBP officials have noted a concerning trend of increased counterfeit stamp activity during holiday seasons, particularly around high-volume card holidays like Valentine’s Day. This pattern suggests that counterfeiters are strategically timing their operations to exploit periods of increased demand for postage stamps.

In light of these developments, CBP has issued a reminder to the public that authentic U.S. postage stamps are exclusively produced by the U.S. Bureau of Engraving & Printing. Consumers are urged to familiarize themselves with the distinguishing features of genuine stamps and to remain vigilant when purchasing postage, especially from unfamiliar or suspiciously low-priced sources.