Summary

On November 25, 2014, and December 16, 2014, Samar Ayoub, Associate, and Hussein Jomaa, Manager, Eagle Auto Sales, Detroit, Michigan, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court, Detroit, Michigan, to trafficking in counterfeit airbags.

The investigation revealed that Jomaa and Ayoub intentionally trafficked goods they knew bore counterfeit and trademark infringing marks which were identical to and substantially indistinguishable from genuine parts. Ayoub illegally caused what she knew were counterfeit automobile airbags to be imported into the United States purporting that they were genuine airbags of American Honda Motor Company, Inc. (AHMC). Additionally, Ayoub advertised and sold counterfeit Honda branded airbags and airbag parts via internet sale sites such as Craigslist and eBay/PayPal. Ayoub sold and caused to be exported counterfeit Honda branded airbag covers, and sold counterfeit Honda airbags, airbag covers, and emblems to customers in Puerto Rico and to customers in over 20 states throughout the United States. 

The investigation also revealed that Jomaa knowingly purchased counterfeit automotive parts purporting that they were genuine AHMC parts. In particular, Jomaa knowingly purchased counterfeit Honda branded airbags, airbag covers, "H" logo emblems, and center wheel caps from various sources, including Ayoub. Jomaa would then place the counterfeit Honda branded parts into used and salvaged Honda vehicles for resale. Jomaa, using Eagle Auto Sales, illegally caused to be exported over 85 salvaged and/or used Honda vehicles that contained counterfeit and trademark infringing Honda automobile parts. The loss related to their criminal conduct was stipulated to be $60,000 for Ayoub and $40,000 for Jomaa.

We are conducting this investigation with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations.