Officials seize 28 counterfeit NBA championship rings at L.A. airport

Jason Owens
·Staff writer
Updated
The counterfeit ring collection included knock-offs of vintage rings and those won recently by the Cavaliers and Warriors. (AP)
The counterfeit ring collection included knock-offs of vintage rings and those won recently by the Cavaliers and Warriors. (AP)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials say they intercepted a collection of 28 counterfeit NBA championship rings at the Los Angeles International Airport on Wednesday, the Associated Press reports.

If authentic, officials say the rings would have been worth $550,000.

The collection includes knock-offs of several vintage rings as well as those awarded to recent champions like the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers.

A counterfeit Golden State Warriors championship ring. (AP)
A counterfeit Golden State Warriors championship ring. (AP)

Rings came from China

Officials speculated that the a seller intended to sell the rings as a collection.

“Scammers take advantage of collectors and pro basketball fans desiring to obtain a piece of sports history,” CBP official Carlos C. Martel told reporters.

The rings came in a wooden box shipped from China and addressed to Arizona. It’s not clear what prompted officials to investigate the contents of the box.

No arrests were reported.

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