eBay Won't Stop Selling Counterfeit Law Enforcement Badges

eBay turns a blind eye to dangerous counterfeits on its website

May 17, 2017, Los Angeles, CA – Despite repeated written notifications, eBay (NASDAQ: EBAY) continues to be the place for anyone around the world to buy fake law enforcement badges and identification cards. Global e-commerce giant eBay continues to be the “one stop” shopping market for fake police items. Click to view a few of the current eBay listings for LAPD Badges and FBI Badge and ID.

Despite repeated complaints and counterfeit badge purchases by consumer advocate and industry watchdog, The Counterfeit Report, counterfeit current issue police badges and identification are listed and sold on eBay. eBay collects a transaction fee for each item sold.

Federal, state and local laws regulate the sale, purchase, possession and display of fake badges, as of course does common sense. eBay policy also specifically prohibits most police badges and items. However, the counterfeit LAPD, FBI and other law enforcement badges are common on eBay and available to terrorists, child predators and other criminals.

The Counterfeit Report sent hundreds of email reports, press releases and warnings to eBay senior staff, including eBay CEO Devin Wenig, General Counsel Marie Oh Huber and Global Intellectual Property Brand Manager Julien Dudouit, which were viewed over 400 times.

Now, 1-year later, the sellers and listings remain, and eBay continues to provide the means for anyone to sell and purchase the counterfeit items.

The lack of proactive effort is overwhelmingly apparent as the items, easily located with simple searches, remain. eBay even goes so far as to send email solicitations to purchase the counterfeit current issue police badges.

18,000 U.S. federal, state and local law enforcement agencies employ 1.1 million men and women who rely on easily recognizable identification to secure public trust and reassure confidence. The consequences or misuse of counterfeits is indisputable. New York Daily News' Sherryl Connelly reported multiple incidents of phony badge use in rapes, robberies, assaults and by a child predator. One group even formed a sham police precinct.

The counterfeit current issue FBI, LAPD, Secret Service and other law enforcement badges and ID shown below from eBay listings, were repeatedly reported to eBay or purchased by The Counterfeit Report. The identification cards shown were made-to-order by eBay sellers bearing the names and photos of U.S. Senator Kamala Harris and former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch. While there is only one Los Angeles Police Chief, Charlie Beck, even Chief Becks's badge is available for purchase on eBay.

Public trust is destroyed when companies don't align themselves with ethical behavior and diligence in protecting consumers, the public and national security.