(WNY News Now) – Buffalo, N.Y. – A Canadian businessman faces severe penalties after pleading guilty to trafficking counterfeit goods valued at over $4 million.
Wasseem Ramjaun, 48, of Vaughan, Ontario, pleaded guilty before Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny to trafficking in counterfeit merchandise. The charge carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a $2 million fine.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo, Ramjaun, who operated several importing and exporting businesses, orchestrated the sale of fake designer goods from October 2016 to August 2017. Ramjaun falsely promised to supply genuine Yeti, Vera Bradley, and Lacoste products. Instead, he contacted a Chinese manufacturer to produce counterfeit Vera Bradley bags. Ramjaun provided the manufacturer with authentic product images and tags to ensure the counterfeit items appeared legitimate.
In June 2017, Ramjaun imported the counterfeit goods through a U.S. port in Western New York, presenting fraudulent documentation to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The total financial impact of the scheme was calculated at $4,216,025.
The case was investigated by U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, led by Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino. Ramjaun is scheduled for sentencing on December 11, 2024.
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