LOS ANGELES — Police impersonators are a very real and frightening scenario for the public, the police, and now former President George W. Bush. A Tuesday arrest and federal search warrant reveal an ISIS plot to kill former President George W. Bush. The plan centered around smuggling terrorists across the U.S. border with previously obtained police uniforms, false identification and immigration documents.
Shihab Ahmed Shihab Shihabplot, a U.S. asylum candidate, is alleged to have plotted the killing and revealed the plan to an FBI insider. Authorities said he asked another person who was a confidential source (“CS”) for the federal government if he knew how to “obtain replica or fraudulent police and/or FBI identifications and badges.” (Forbes – Thomas Brewster)
A law enforcement badge and ID provide authority for the holder. The suspect orchestrating the killing of the former President wanted these items because it would make his plot easier to carry out. Unfortunately, authentic-looking replica badges, ID patches and law enforcement gear are alarmingly easy to obtain. Both Amazon and eBay sell fake FBI and police badges, IDs, patches and equipment.
The Counterfeit Report received the fake made-to-order FBI & LAPD ID cards below from eBay sellers bearing the names and photos of now Vice President Kamala Harris and former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch. Replica badges were selected from dozens of authentic-looking fakes purchased on eBay and Amazon to accompany the counterfeit identification cards. Each was sent the fake items, yet neither chose to act. Ironically, an aide to then California Attorney General Kamala Harris, Brandon Kiel, was arrested in 2015 for impersonating a police officer.
Are you talking to the real police? How would you know?
The Counterfeit Report found more than 11,515 fake law enforcement badges and IDs on eBay and Amazon. The website listings indicate that over 2,575 have been sold. Hundreds of email reports, press releases and warnings were sent to eBay and Amazon staffers, eBay’s then CEO Devin Wenig, eBay General Counsel Marie Oh Huber, eBay Global Intellectual Property Brand Manager Julien Dudouit, and then Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos. The press releases were viewed over 400 times by the companies, yet the e-commerce executives did not respond or take action to remove the counterfeit items.
The fake badges remain on these e-commerce sites. Amazon and eBay continue to be the “one-stop” shopping market for anyone worldwide to buy reproduction law enforcement badges and IDs. See the fake badges listed on eBay and Amazon here.
Public trust is destroyed when companies don’t align themselves with ethical behavior and diligence and put profit before protecting the public, children, national security, or in the most recent case, a former United States President. Despite the law, website policies, ethics and even common sense, the items remain.
*Editor’s Note: eBay and Amazon claim they have strict policies prohibiting counterfeits, fakes and replicas on their websites. The truth is that counterfeits and reproductions can be, and are, easily listed and sold.
Below is a small sampling of past law enforcement related press releases:
Press Release: Impersonating The Police Is Easy With eBay Counterfeit Badges & ID
Press Release: Nike, NBA, SanDisk & FBI All Victims Of Amazon & eBay Counterfeits
Press Release: eBay Won’t Stop Selling Counterfeit Law Enforcement Badges
Press Release: Amazon Still Selling Counterfeit Police Badges Despite Complaints
Press Release: Amazon Fake FBI and Secret Service Badges Endanger the Public
Press Release: eBay Fake Police Badges and ID Endanger the Public
Press Release: After Warnings, eBay Fake FBI, Police Badges and ID Remain
Press Release: eBay FBI and Police Badge Sales Endanger the Public
Website: https://www.TheCounterfeitReport.com