Counterfeit World Series merchandise

November 2, 2009 -- The World Series brings a lot of commerce to its two host cities, but predictably, some of it isn't on the up and up.

There was graphic evidence of that when authorities seized about $100-thousand in counterfeit merchandise Monday.

Major League baseball along with Licenses and Inspections raided Sneaker Junction in Old City Monday evening as part of a crackdown on counterfeit World Series gear.

Stuart Drobny is a private investigator contracted by Major League baseball. He didn't want to show his face because of other ongoing investigations.

"A lot of establishments have been hit, street vendors, a lot of stores and lot of places around the stadium."

More than two dozen stores and street vendors have been targeted in the last week here in Philadelphia and New York. Detectives took boxes of allegedly counterfeit hats; shirt and sweatshirts out of Sneaker Junction valued at more than $25-thousand.

"The owner was very cooperative and mentioned that he was basically taken for a ride. He was under the impression that this was legitimate merchandise."

But the store owner is now facing charges and his store has been shut down. The owner locked up the place after L and I left.

He ran after we tried to question him about the alleged counterfeit goods. Drobny says it's consumers who ultimately lose out.

"Basically consumers are getting something that is poor inferior quality. They're not getting what they're paying for and being deceived into believing that it's legitimate merchandise."

Major League baseball says consumers need to look for this hologram when purchasing World Series gear. It should have a serial number and also be equipped with World Series tags.

2009 WORLD SERIES

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