ICE Shuts Down 67 Fake Online Pharmacy Websites For Selling Counterfeit Drugs

Website visitors now see a seizure banner displaying in place of the fake drug advertisements

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced that 67 different domain names for commercial websites “engaged in the illegal sale and distribution of counterfeit and prescription drugs” have had seizure orders executed against them by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to the DOJ, visitors to these fake online pharmacies will find instead a banner web page stating that the site has been seized by the Federal Government for violations of Federal smuggling and trademark misuse.

If no one comes forward to claim the domains within the time-frame stated on the seizure notice, the sites will be forfeited to the U.S. Government.

United States Attorney Bill Nettles explained concerning the seizure, “It’s important for consumers to understand the significant risks involved in purchasing pharmaceutical drugs from these websites. The generic versions of these prescription drugs are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration and cannot be distributed in the United States legally. To be safe and effective, prescription drugs must be taken under the care and supervision of appropriate health care professionals; not purchased off the internet from unknown and unregulated foreign sources.”

The case was investigated by Special Agents within the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Klumb has been assigned to handle the website forfeiture.
By S. Imber