CBP Officers Seizes Thousands Of Fake ID Items In 2020

Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 10:31 AM

Most of the fake items originated in China and Hong Kong.

Photo by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

(Cincinnati, Oh.) - Thousands of fake identification items were seized by Cincinnati Border Protection officers in 2020.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced Tuesday that CBP officers in Cincinnati seized 14,504 fraudulent identification items, in the form of licenses, holographic stickers or seals, laminates, social security cards, passports, visas, and other types of identification.

Officers found that the holographic stickers, laminates, and seals were often shipped with blank cards showing intent to manufacture fake credit cards and IDs to be sold on the black market.

CBP officers say over 97 percent of all fake documents seized at the Port of Cincinnati originated in China and Hong Kong.

“Fake IDs are used to facilitate underage drinking, which is dangerous in and of itself,” said Cincinnati Port Director Richard Gillespie. “The story can get even darker, however. Fake documents are associated with identity theft, public benefit fraud, and human trafficking, and terrorists use them to evade travel screening measures. Our officers and specialists are trained to recognize fake identification documents and they are dedicated to protecting innocent civilians.”

For more information, visit www.cbp.gov.

Events

Genealogy Roundtable
How Did They Die, and Why Does it Matter? Learn how to trace your ancestors' final moments through death certificates, funeral programs, historical epidemics
Jan 3, 2026 at Lawrenceburg Public Library
Al-Anon Meeting
Help for Friends and Family of a problem drinker. You know what it is doing to them, do you know what it is doing to you?
Jan 4, 2026 at Hamline Chapel United Methodist Church
Take & Make- Make Your Popcorn ‘Pop’
It is cold. The holiday season is over. Watching a movie while eating some popcorn sounds good.
Jan 5, 2026 at Lawrenceburg Public Library