Counterfeit Coverage

Raleigh artist's design stolen and sold as knockoff on Temu, retail app says it will make changes

A Raleigh artist's design was stolen and sold as a knockoff on the popular shopping app Temu.

Keely Arthur, WRAL consumer reporter

High cost of weight loss drugs driving counterfeits

Drugs like Ozempic and Orgovid run about $1,000 per dose, and many insurers do not cover the cost.

Man charged with selling nearly $200,000 in counterfeit shoes in Durham

According to the North Carolina Secretary of State's Office, the man sold over 1,000 fake pairs of shoes and boots. The man is now facing multiple felony counterfeiting charges.

WRAL staff

US customs officers seized a fake Richard Mille watch. If real, it would have been worth $3.7 million

Watches and jewelry are the most commonly counterfeited items that are seized by customs officers, CBP Chicago, which oversees operations throughout most of the Midwest, wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter), so it came as no surprise to agents when they found the watch. The item's estimated price tag and its rarity are perhaps the most shocking aspects of the November 16 seizure by CPB officers in Cincinnati.

Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN

NC cracks down on use of candy brands for snacks that could get you high

The North Carolina Secretary of State's Office on Tuesday announced it had seized nearly $170,000 worth of counterfeit snacks - treats infused with THC, the chemical that makes marijuana potent, but using legitimate brands like Skittles, Fritos, AirHeads and Oreos.

THC-infused snacks with familiar-looking labels seized around the state

THC-laced snacks have been seized around the state of NC. NC Secretary of State Elaine F. Marshall worries the packaging can deceive parents and children.

Robert Furges, WRAL contributor

Avoid counterfeit gifts for mom this Mother's Day

Watch out for possible counterfeit gifts this year.

Popular Mother's Day gifts also among most counterfeited. Here's what to look for when you buy.

For many families, Mother's Day requires the best gift possible, but beware! U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents warn you could easily fall victim to counterfeit goods.

Rick Armstrong, WRAL photojournalist

'People are getting tricked': Raleigh DEA warns of counterfeit prescription pill surge

The Raleigh field office of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is warning against a surge in counterfeit prescription pills in North Carolina. Three Apex High School friends died within three months of each other last year.

Joe Fisher, WRAL multimedia journalist

Fentanyl-laced drugs kill 3 Apex friends in 3 months

The Raleigh field office of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is warning against a surge in counterfeit prescription pills in North Carolina. Three Apex High School friends died within three months of each other last year.

More than $300K in knock-off purses, watches, sunglasses seized by Mooresville police

Police seized thousands of dollars worth of counterfeit retail items during a traffic stop in Iredell County last week, authorities said Friday.

Counterfeiters target Girl Scouts

Several Florida Girl Scout troops have been targeted by criminals paying for boxes of cookies using phony bills. (Video from WFLA)

Girl Scouts bust counterfeiter

Two separate Girl Scout troops reported a man accused of using counterfeit money to police in mid-February.

Local artists lose money as counterfeiters steal, recreate digital copies

Local artists often sell their art online. But this allows counterfeiters to download and use their images without permission, making profits on other people's art. John Matarese shows why you need to be on the lookout for counterfeits, so you don't waste your money.

Buyer beware: Counterfeits popping up in NC

Counterfeit items are popping up in cities across the region. Elaine Marshall, the NC Secretary of State, is putting out an alert warning shoppers to be vigilant.

Know these signs to avoid paying real money for counterfeit products

From Louis Vuitton look-alikes and fake perfumes to counterfeit phones and batteries, counterfeit products are popping up across the region.

Mark Boyle, WRAL anchor/reporter

NC investigators seize counterfeit clothes, gaming consoles from area stores

State authorities have seized more than $1 million in knockoff goods from stores across central North Carolina in recent weeks.

Warrant: Man bought cellphone with counterfeit $100 bills

The private sale of a cellphone from one man to another in Wake Forest led police there to investigate the buyer for passing counterfeit bills.

Chapel Hill minister busted with $24M in knockoff bracelets

A Chapel Hill minister was arrested at his church Friday with a cache of more than 3,200 counterfeit Cartier bracelets, authorities said.

Tubman as New Face of $20 Bill? Not Before President Exits Office

WASHINGTON — Harriet Tubman — former slave, abolitionist, “conductor” on the Underground Railroad — will not become the face of the $20 bill until after President Donald Trump leaves office, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Wednesday.

Alan Rappeport, New York Times

Man sought after fake money turns up in Fuquay-Varina

Some Fuquay-Varina merchants are on alert for counterfeit money that has turned up at least one business.

Merchants on alert after counterfeit $100 bills turn up in Fuquay-Varina

Law enforcement authorities say $1 bills that have been doctored so that they resemble $100 bills have been found by at at least one business in Wake County, and businesses are being warned about the bogus bucks.

Kasey Cunningham, WRAL reporter

Dozens of knockoff Nike sneakers seized; Raleigh man charged

State authorities have seized dozens of pairs of phony Nike sneakers along with other knockoff merchandise that was shipped to a Raleigh barbershop, according to search warrants.

Matthew Burns, WRAL.com senior producer/politics editor