Authorities estimated the value of the items seized would have been worth over $11.5 million had they been authentic products.
PAULDING COUNTY, Ga. — A Paulding County woman was arrested after she ran an alleged counterfeit handbag store out of her home, the sheriff’s office said.
She is accused of selling fake handbags, wallets, and accessories under the guise of luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel, Christian Dior, Fendi, Hermes, and Burberry among many others, Paulding County Sheriff’s Office said in a release.
The 39-year-old turned herself in to authorities on Sunday and was charged with selling goods with forged, counterfeit trademarks, service marks and copyrighted designs — a felony.
Authorities were alerted to the illegal activity after an international private security company, Gatekeeper Global, discovered the online counterfeit handbag store. Law enforcement immediately launched an investigation, deputies said.
Detectives were later able to execute a search warrant at a home on Adelene Way in Dallas, Georgia, on Oct. 4, where they found over 12,000 knockoff items. Authorities estimated the value of the items seized would have been worth over $11.5 million had they been authentic products.
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Counterfeit handbag store at Paulding County home
“We are glad to partner with Gatekeeper Global to help protect the brand integrity of these companies. If you see a name brand purse, handbag, or accessory that’s for sale online and the price is too good to be true, it’s probably a counterfeit item that is manufactured in a sweat shop in a foreign country,” Sheriff Gary Gulledge said.
Anyone who fell victim to the operation is encouraged to call the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office tip line at (770) 443-30147.
