Newsroom
Media Inquiries
For media inquiries and breaking news, please email IPR Center Public Affairs at IPRCenterMedia@hsi.dhs.gov.
Recent News
Avoiding more than $1 million in duties, tariffs brings guilty pleas
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – An investigation conducted jointly between Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)-San Juan and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has uncovered a conspiracy to smuggle goods into the United States to avoid paying more than $1 million in duties and tariffs.
Leader of animal trafficking ring sent to prison following investigation by HSI Houston, federal partners
HOUSTON – The leader of an animal trafficking ring has been sentenced to federal prison for selling endangered wildlife in violation of the Lacey Act following an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)-Houston, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General.
HSI Philadelphia-led investigation leads to seizure of domains used for alleged drug trafficking
PHILADELPHIA- Special agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)-Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Seattle field offices, along with HSI-Brussels, and the National Police Force of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, coordinated the international takedown of four domain servers allegedly used to sell fake pharmaceutical grade drugs. Some of the drugs contained methamphetamine and fentanyl and were unlawfully distributed across the United States.
Success Stories
Pro Network - Counterfeit Goods and Wire Fraud
On July 8, 2022 Onur "Roy" Aksoy, was indicted by a federal Grand Jury in the District of New Jersey for one count of conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit goods and to commit mail and wire fraud; three counts of mail fraud; four counts of wire fraud; and three counts of trafficking in counterfeit goods in running a large-scale operation to traffic in fraudulent and counterfeit Cisco networking equipment.
Digital Millennium - Copyright Act and Wire Fraud
In May 2018, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) initiated a criminal investigation into TEAM XECUTER (TX), a financially motivated cyber-criminal organization (CO).
Operation Chain Reaction (OCR) - Counterfeit Goods and Wire Fraud
On October 20, 2022, Terry ROE, the third and final coconspirator in a large counterfeit military uniforms scheme, was sentenced in the District of Rhode Island to 24-months confinement and 3-years supervised release after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit goods and to commit wire fraud.
FIFA World Cup - Live Streaming Sites Seized
As part of the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) Digital Piracy Initiative, "In Our Sites," Special Agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore seized a total of 71 separate internet domains between December 9 and 18, 2022 for live streaming World Cup matches, an infringement of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) copyrights.
Photos and Video
Operation Team Player
The IPR Center’s Operation Team Player is a year-round effort to catch people who try to pass off counterfeit sports merchandise, apparel, collectibles, memorabilia and even tickets. The IPR Center works with law enforcement and industry partners to intercept jerseys, hats, blankets, T-shirts, championship rings and a wide range of other gear in a global effort to protect people just like you.
World Intellectual Property Day 2022
The National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center), in conjunction with Michigan State University’s Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection (A-CAPP), hosted a roundtable discussion with youth entrepreneurs and Sean Williams, Co-Founder of Detroit -vs- Everyone to discuss brand protection to help creatives protect their business against intellectual property (IP) theft in support of World Intellectual Property Day 2022. This year’s theme focuses on young entrepreneurs and is titled, IP and Youth: Innovating for a Better Future.
IP Protect: An Outreach Initiative Supporting Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
On April 26, 2021, World Intellectual Property Day, the IPR Center in partnership with Michigan State University’s Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection (A-CAPP), U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the Better Business Bureau announced the launch of “IP Protect.” This joint initiative provides resources – free of charge – to aid small to medium-sized enterprises in protecting themselves against IP theft, fraud and cyber security awareness.
Operation Intangibles