In a significant legal development this week, Mateen Mohammad Alinaghian, an engineer with the North Carolina Department of Transportation, admitted to importing and selling counterfeit car airbags in the Raleigh area over two years. These substandard products were sold locally as well as through online platforms like Facebook Marketplace. The investigation revealed that Alinaghian sourced approximately 2,500 counterfeit airbags from a supplier in the United Kingdom between May 2022 and April 2024. These items bore fake logos of prominent automotive brands such as Honda, Chevrolet, General Motors, and Toyota. Testing showed these airbags often failed to deploy properly, posing serious risks to drivers and passengers.

Details Emerge About the Investigation and Its Impact

During the probe led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) alongside the U.S. Department of Transportation and Office of Inspector General, authorities uncovered a network of fraudulent activity involving counterfeit airbags. Searches at Alinaghian's residence and customs seizures exposed numerous packages containing these hazardous products. In the U.K., London police confiscated around 500 counterfeit airbags along with more than $180,000 in cash. Three individuals there were arrested on charges related to fraud and money laundering. Meanwhile, in the U.S., three fatalities and two injuries occurred due to faulty replacement airbags during the period from September 2023 to July 2024, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Authorities urge consumers who suspect they may have purchased counterfeit airbags to seek advice from authorized dealerships or mechanics. Complaints can be filed with local HSI offices or reported via online forms available through relevant national coordination centers.

This case underscores the critical importance of prioritizing safety over profit. By putting counterfeit goods into circulation, Alinaghian endangered countless lives, demonstrating how greed can lead to devastating consequences. It serves as a stark reminder for both businesses and consumers to remain vigilant against counterfeit products that compromise public safety.