Counterfeit Apple Lightning Cables and Adaptors Seized En Route

[Akshay Masand]

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently carried out a routine inspection in Anchorage and uncovered a massive haul of counterfeit Apple accessories. The collection that was discovered mostly consisted of Apple’s new Lightning USB cables and adapters. The products had been flown in from China and were set to be distributed around the United States. According to Alaska Dispatch:

Designed to look like iPhone 5 USB “lightning” connector cables and adapters, the products included fake Apple logos and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) trademark icons. But the knock-off logos weren't enough of a disguise. The items stood out as counterfeits, Frank Falcon, CBP spokesman said. They were packaged for retail sale in cardboard blister packs that were sub-standard compared to Apple's trademark white packaging.

Falcon said a manufacturer in China is responsible for the shipment. He noted that while it is “difficult to deal with a manufacturer in another country,” the bust will “bring more scrutiny” to future shipments from the company.

The products combined are believed to be worth in the region of $600,000 assuming the cables were to be sold at knocked down prices. The products will now be destroyed by the CBP not only for the fact that they are counterfeit but also for safety issues because there is no way of knowing if the cables are safe to use or if they even work at all without trying them in the first place. It isn’t a surprise to see counterfeit Apple products but seeing the value and quantity of the products is still quite shocking.

Source: Alaska Dispatch via iMore

[bmwraw8482]

And I could've used a couple cheap lightning cables...

[thazsar]

And I could've used a couple cheap lightning cables...

Amazon, man!!!

[turdsmoka]

And I could've used a couple cheap lightning cables...

I just received 4 lightning cables from HK for under 15 dollars. Amazon.

[soldoutluck]

lol this is news??? I have already purchase 2 from hongkong and have used them for about a month or so. why pay 10x the price for the real thing when you can buy a knockoff for 2.50-3.50? it's not like it's a watch or a pair of sunglasses!

BTW ebay is cheaper, screw amazon. You can get the for 4.99 from u.s sellers which means they wont be at risk of confiscation... lol

[iLoveWindows&iPhone]

lol this is news??? I have already purchase 2 from hongkong and have used them for about a month or so. why pay 10x the price for the real thing when you can buy a knockoff for 2.50-3.50? it's not like it's a watch or a pair of sunglasses!

BTW ebay is cheaper, screw amazon. You can get the for 4.99 from u.s sellers which means they wont be at risk of confiscation... lol

Umm, yes...It is news. The article is about customs busting a company importing a massive amount of counterfeit lighting connectors. It is not claiming to be informing us that counterfeit products exist in the world...we all know that already.

And CBS will be carrying out the destruction of the cables? Is it supposed to say CBP? CBS needs to work on making quality television!

[hogcia]

Maybe if these cables and adapters were reasonably priced, people wouldn't have to buy knockoffs.

[Shigoroku]

Bought an off-brand from cellularboys.com because I was curious. I wouldn't call it "counterfeit" because it looked nothing like Apple's cord. The site showed pictures of Apple's cord.

The connector looked horrible compared to a real one, so I wouldn't risk plugging it into my phone for more than 2 seconds (I just wanted to know if it would start to charge at all, it did).

[thevmax]

I purchased some knockoffs at a discount price myself.
The only problem is that I am using the braeburn desktop cradle,
and the knockoff won't fit inside the holder because the backing on the
lightning connector is too long. I'm just sayin'...

[MikePA]

Maybe if these cables and adapters were reasonably priced, people wouldn't have to buy knockoffs.

Oh, yes, people HAVE TO buy knockoffs.

[jOnGarrett]

Maybe if these cables and adapters were reasonably priced, people wouldn't have to buy knockoffs.

maybe if apple used USB you wouldn't have to complain about prices.

[Ozdude]

Anyone notice that while the knock off cables from Amazon work fine to connect to charge and link to PC, the Lightning adapter knockoffs however are garbage. Where the real ones work properly on docks and in cars etc, the knock offs don't pass any audio at all. I kind of suspected this might be the case so I won't be buying any more of them. I've used the single adapter I bought at same time as the 3 cables to just charge my phone on my bedside dock, as I fortunately almost never play music through that dock.

[iYeow]

Want to get counterfeit cables , go to Asia . Tons to choose from👍

[regkilla]

screw counterfeits. nothing better than the real deal.

[runey71]

maybe if apple used USB you wouldn't have to complain about prices.

I'm glad Apple don't use USB. The new Lightening connector is great. The micro USB on my Blackberry (work) and Android (various test units) are a pain to use. Especially when trying to plug them in whilst driving (yes I know I shouldn't be doing that). The Lightening connector is a joy to insert and remove in comparison. PS: I couldn't care less about the price.

[Gamemaster77]

screw counterfeits. nothing better than the real deal.

Ya, just like expensive clothes that use the same exact fabric for something hundreds of dollars less, right?

[regkilla]

Ya, just like expensive clothes that use the same exact fabric for something hundreds of dollars less, right?

It's different for electronics. Want a counterfeit Apple charger to explode?

[Gamemaster77]

It's different for electronics. Want a counterfeit Apple charger to explode?

Not really for this kind of thing, like chargers. Anyone with the adequate means of production could make these. It's not some miraculous feat of engineering. As long as they know how it interfaces with the phone, it's easy.

[thomax00]

Why destroy 'em?

Test, and then, if applicable, destroy ... c'mon ... create a little bit of competition will ya?!?

[amenter18]

I just received 4 lightning cables from HK for under 15 dollars. Amazon.

Eh they were probably fake lol