eBay FBI and Police Badge Sales Endanger the Public
Counterfeit Law Enforcement Badges and ID available to terrorists, child predators and other criminals
May 09, 2016, Los Angeles, CA - e-Commerce giant eBay® (EBAY) is no stranger to allegations of selling counterfeit goods. Included in the list of fake goods peddled on the eBay website are an alarming threat: Counterfeit Law Enforcement and Police badges, and Government ID's.
eBay claims "You can't list replicas, fakes, counterfeits, or other illegal copies on eBay" but the fact is that counterfeit and replica law enforcement badges and accompanying identification are being sold on eBay. There are over 100 eBay listings that are in violation of eBay policy or guidelines for police items and badges. Fake police credentials can be made to order, with the identification complete with the buyers own name and photo, posing a particularly serious threat to national security, consumer safety and public confidence.
Inexplicably, eBay even solicits buyers to purchase the fraudulent items through direct email solicitations despite eBay's policy of not allowing badges from federal law enforcement agencies or police agencies, government identification cards, movie props or reproductions.
Public trust is destroyed when companies don't align themselves with ethical behavior and diligence in protecting consumers, the public and national security. It is disturbing that eBay has become the means of those looking for false law enforcement badges and identification to have a “one stop” shopping market.
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Despite being reported to eBay, the badges and identification shown here remain listed on eBay. eBay provides a means for people to purchase FBI, ATF, and a variety of other replica federal badges, and counterfeit identification bearing the FBI and other federal agency seals. Federal, state and local laws regulate the sale, purchase, possession and display of fake badges. A FBI/HSI Bulletin last month solicited the public's help in locating 34-year-old Roberto Craciunica, indicted for manufacturing and distributing counterfeit FBI, HSI and CIA badges, including trafficking in counterfeit goods and false seals. Interpol has also issued a Red Notice for Craciunica’s arrest. “It is not like the FBI has uniforms or marked vehicles. We trust our badges, credentials to give the public the reassurance that we are official federal agents representing government business,” said Stephen Emmett, a Special Agent at the FBI. |
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This fake FBI identification card is offered on eBay with the option to order with the buyers name and photograph. The use of false credentials and badges have been used to attempt restricted area access at airports, including a August 2015 incident in which a man was indicted for impersonating a federal law enforcement agent. He used a counterfeit Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) badge and credentials to enter the Naval Nuclear Training Command in South Carolina while armed with a Sig Sauer pistol. In another incident, a man was watching a movie at a theatre in Michigan, wearing body armor and carrying a firearm. When approached by police, he presented a counterfeit Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) badge and credentials. In January 2014, a man attempted to gain access to the secure area of Reagan National Airport using a counterfeit CIA badge, but was prevented from doing so after Transportation Security Administration officers notice inconsistencies with the man’s statements and credentials. |
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The eBay seller of these eBay prohibited Federal Law Enforcement Agency badges has over 60 listings for full-size replica federal and police badges on eBay. The eBay listings make the badges available worldwide by terrorists, child predators and other criminals, and could easily confuse or deceive unsuspecting individuals. Immigration and Customs enforcement seeks public’s help in locating a badge counterfeiter believed to be in Germany described in a recently issued HSI Bulletin. Is it any coincidence that this eBay seller is located in Berlin, Germany? |
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The badge of the Los Angeles Police Department is one of the most recognized badges in the world. This strikingly realistic replica of the current Los Angeles Police Detective Badge is listed on eBay as; "Good Quality LAPD Los Angeles Police Department Detective Badge Free Shipping" and includes the disclaimer; "This badge complies with the following eBay rules." "Historical badges that do not resemble modern law enforcement badges (a sheriff's badge from the 19th century), provided that the item description must clearly state that the badge is a historical piece at least 75 years old or issued by a now-defunct organization" |
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An eBay listing offers realistic looking LAPD Identification Cards, with the option to include the buyers choice of name and photo. Accompanied by a fraudulent or replica badge, members of the general public may not recognize they are viewing a fake. |
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This Current style California Highway Patrol Badge replica listed on eBay accompanies a variety of other replica Law Enforcement badges. |
Manufacturers are vocal that not enough is being done to stop counterfeits on e-commerce websites, including eBay. While individual listings may be identified and removed in what is best described as a whack-a-mole process, they just pop up again with the same sellers. eBay earns over $2 billion in profits and needs to do more than the bare minimum to stop counterfeits on its website. The eBay consumer and manufacturers would be much better served if eBay put consumer protection before profits with aggressive proactive research, harsh penalties for sellers, and appropriately staffed anti-counterfeiting efforts.
What should you do if you receive an eBay counterfeit?
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