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Wantagh Men Sold Name-Brand Counterfeit Cell Phones as New, Officials Report

Written by Long Island News & PR  |  29. March 2018

Wantagh, NY - March 29, 2018 - The Asset Forfeiture Intelligence Unit reports the arrests of two Wantagh men for Counterfeiting that occurred in Wantagh on March 27, 2018 at 6:30 am.
 
According to detectives, the four month investigation was conducted in conjunction with Homeland Security Investigations and US Customs and Border Protection. Detectives targeted inbound shipments from China and discovered counterfeit Apple and Samsung cell phone components and accessories. The shipments were being delivered to a residence located on Poulson Street in Wantagh and to AMS World located at 1228 Wantagh Avenue Suite 204, Wantagh, NY.  
 
Defendants Gurcharan Luthra, 37, and Sumesh Pasricha, 48, repaired Apple and Samsung phones using counterfeit parts. The repairs took place at both the residence and the business. The repaired cell phones were repackaged in counterfeit packaging and sold as new. The defendants Luthra and Pasricha would sell the phones online and to independent cell phone stores throughout the New York metropolitan area. Approximately 1.1 million dollars in US currency was recovered along with multiple counterfeit phones, parts and packaging. Three vehicles were also seized. They were a 2016 Mercedes, and two 2015 Toyotas.
 
Defendants Luhra and Pasricha were arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead on Wednesday, March 28, 2018. Gurcharan Luhra is being charged with two counts Counterfeiting 2nd Degree. Sumesh Pasricha is charged with Counterfeiting 2nd Degree and Conspiracy 5th Degree.
 
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
 

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