ICE seizes 18 domains accused of selling fake goods for Valentine's

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) seized 18 Web domains for allegedly selling counterfeit goods from brands like Chanel, Prada and Tiffany & Co.

"Even on Valentine's Day, American business is under assault from counterfeiters and pirates," said ICE Director John Morton. "These counterfeits represent a triple threat by delivering shoddy, and sometimes dangerous, goods into commerce, by funding organized criminal activities and by denying Americans good-paying jobs." Federal agents made undercover purchases of items including handbags, rings, sunglasses and watches representing 14 major brands: Breitling, Burberry, Chanel, Coach, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Nike, Omega, Patek Philipe, Prada, Rolex, Tiffany & Co. and Timberland. In most cases, the items were shipped to the US from suppliers in foreign countries using express mail. Once the goods were confirmed as counterfeit or otherwise illegal, ICE issued seizure orders for the domains.