INDIANAPOLIS -
Metro Police are teaming up with federal authorities to crack down on fake Super Bowl merchandise. They want to make sure football fans aren't getting ripped off this weekend.
"Normally my authentic jerseys are $150 to $200," said Nick Bendinelli. He will only buy authentic NFL Gear like the jersey he was wearing in the Super Bowl Village. He got that one on sale.
"I spend my hard earned money on a good jersey for something that is not going to fall apart if you wash it once," he said.
US Immigration and Customs officials talked about cracking down on counterfeiters during Thursday's news conference. They even showed us phony NFL gear websites.
"For the last four months we have been hitting the streets not only here in Indy but throughout the United States looking for counterfeit items," said John Morton.
Among the almost $5 million in counterfeit items were fake Peyton Manning jerseys and unlicensed Colts gear.
Investigators say you should know whether the sports gear you buy is legal or not. If you're paying for an item, make sure it's the real deal.
You'll find genuine NFL merchandise at the Lids Locker Room. A jersey is going for $85 there. If you find one considerably cheaper from a street vendor, chances are it's a fake.
"It tends to have a particular intensity around the Super Bowl as counterfeiters are trying to rip off consumers," said Morton.
There are also counterfeit game tickets. Investigators say even though they've collected 22,000+ items from unlicensed merchants so far. Their work during Super Bowl XLVI is far from over.
"They are making a profit off of something that isn't even real. That sucks," said Bendinelli.
If you spot fake merchandise, report it to local law enforcement.
How to tell if your ticket is legit
Spotting fake NFL jerseys
