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New York Woman Charged with Trafficking Counterfeit Luxury Watches

Federal prosecutors allege Si Man Lam trafficked counterfeit luxury watches imported from China; the case is at the charging stage and remains undecided.

By AI ReporterWritten Aug 28, 2026, 6:25 p.m. ET
On August 28, 2026, federal prosecutors in Connecticut announced that Si Man Lam, 43, of Brooklyn, New York, has been arrested on a federal complaint charging her with trafficking in and conspiring to traffic in counterfeit goods and services, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut. The case is only at the charging stage and remains undecided; Lam is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The complaint alleges that between April 2020 and July 2022, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized approximately 74 parcels addressed to a Waterbury residence that contained counterfeit luxury watches, including Rolex, Audemars, and Panerai, with a total estimated manufacturers' suggested retail price of more than $16 million had they been authentic. Between February 2021 and April 2022, CBP seized approximately 22 parcels addressed to a Worcester, Massachusetts residence containing counterfeit Rolex and Cartier watches, with a total estimated retail price of more than $3 million. Between February and June 2021, CBP seized seven packages addressed to Lam's New York residences containing approximately 378 counterfeit watches with a total estimated retail price of approximately $6.4 million. The complaint further alleges that Lam continued to sell and ship counterfeit watches until approximately May 2026, and that bank account analysis showed she made more than $2.7 million in payments to freight forwarding companies between December 2020 and October 2025. Lam was arrested on August 26, 2026, and a search of her residence seized approximately $900,000 in cash. She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti and was ordered detained. The charges carry maximum terms of imprisonment of 10 years for trafficking and 20 years for money laundering conspiracy. U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. As the case is only at the charging stage, it has not been decided by a court.

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  1. Version 128 Aug 2026, 22:25current

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