Summary

On May 14, 2015, Samar Ayoub, Associate of Eagle Auto Sales, was sentenced in U.S. District Court, Detroit, Michigan, to 36 months’ probation, and $5,100 in fines for trafficking in counterfeit airbags. Ayoub previously pleaded guilty to these charges in November 2014.

The investigation revealed that Ayoub, and Hussein Jomaa, Manager, Eagle Auto Sales, 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, without properly declaring them as hazardous materials, into the United States purporting that they were genuine airbags of American Honda Motor Company, Inc. Additionally, Ayoub advertised and sold counterfeit Honda branded airbags and airbag parts over the internet to customers in over 20 states throughout the United States and in Puerto Rico.

The investigation also revealed that Jomaa knowingly purchased counterfeit automotive parts purporting that they were genuine Honda 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, 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. Further, during National Highway Traffic Safety Administration testing, the counterfeit airbags failed, sending shrapnel and flames from hot gas into the test dummies.

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