Oregon man accused of selling fake N95 masks worth over $2.5 million during pandemic
Oregon Man Faces Up to 10 Years in Prison for Selling Fake N95 Masks During Pandemic
An Oregon man, Jiang Yu, could be sentenced to a maximum of 10 years in prison for his involvement in selling over $2.5 million worth of counterfeit N95 masks to third-party companies, which then sold them to healthcare providers. Yu, 70, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit goods, a charge that carries a potential 10-year sentence, a $2 million fine, and three years of supervised release. The Oregon District Attorney’s Office filed charges against Yu in October.
In the case of USA v. Yu, court documents reveal that Yu imported and sold masks with counterfeit markings, such as “NIOSH” or “3M,” from May 2020 to June 2021. His three co-conspirators remain unidentified.
“Defendant and his co-conspirators sold at least $2,531,857.53 in counterfeit masks to various purchasers,” stated one court filing. “The majority of sales were to third-party companies, many of whom sold to healthcare providers.”
To conceal their counterfeiting operation, Yu and his co-conspirators went as far as creating fake documents and certificates of authenticity. While Yu supplied the masks, his co-conspirators posted videos on social media advertising them as authentic. When customers questioned the authenticity of the products, Yu and his co-conspirators designed and edited fake certificates of authenticity to deceive purchasers.
Yu is scheduled to be sentenced on May 21, 2024, before Judge Michael Mosman in the Oregon District Court. As part of his plea agreement, Yu must forfeit over 380,000 counterfeit 3M N95 masks, over 164,000 EA counterfeit 3M masks, over 51,000 EA Makrite counterfeit masks, a 2004 Lamborghini Gallardo, a 2012 Mercedes ML350, and over $25,900.
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Medical Pros Sues Counterfeit Mask Seller
Medical Pros, a medical supply company established in April 2020, has filed a lawsuit against Yu’s company, Airfiltech, in Multnomah County Circuit Court. They claim to have purchased numerous counterfeit masks from Yu, resulting in over $3.6 million in damages. The outcome of the federal criminal case will determine the closure of their lawsuit.
According to the Oregon secretary of state’s business registration database, Airfiltech, headquartered in Milwaukie, Oregon, has been registered since 2013. Yu served as a manager for Airfiltech, as stated in their annual reports.
The FBI and Homeland Security Investigations took the lead in the case against Yu.
Yu’s counterfeit mask business was just one of many operations that took advantage of the high demand for personal protective equipment during the early stages of the pandemic.
In the first year of the pandemic, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) reported seizing over 21.2 million counterfeit masks as part of Operation Stolen Promise, launched in April 2020. Additionally, HSI agents seized over 11 million counterfeit 3M masks intended for hospital workers and first responders in late 2020 and early 2021.
Earlier this year, Mark Forrest Cohn, a 68-year-old man from Chandler, Arizona, was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay restitution for importing and selling counterfeit 3M N95 masks from China in 2020. Some of Cohn’s counterfeit masks were sent to a Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
In 2021, HSI seized over two million counterfeit N95 masks purchased by the state of Maine between late 2020 and early 2021.
What measures can be taken to prevent the sale of counterfeit medical supplies and ensure the safety of healthcare workers
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The sale of counterfeit N95 masks during the ongoing pandemic has raised serious concerns about the safety and well-being of healthcare providers and the general public. With the high demand for personal protective equipment (PPE), unscrupulous individuals like Jiang Yu have taken advantage of the situation to profit at the expense of public health.
Yu’s involvement in the sale of fake N95 masks came to light after an extensive investigation by law enforcement agencies. The court documents provide a chilling account of his illegal activities, revealing how he imported and sold masks with counterfeit markings to third-party companies. These companies then sold the masks to healthcare providers who believed they were purchasing genuine N95 masks to protect their staff and patients.
The magnitude of Yu’s operation is staggering. The court filing states that he sold over $2.5 million worth of counterfeit masks, highlighting the extent of his fraudulent activities. What is even more disturbing is the fact that these masks may have been used by healthcare providers who were unknowingly putting themselves and their patients at risk.
To make matters worse, Yu and his co-conspirators went to great lengths to deceive purchasers. They created fake documents and certificates of authenticity to give the appearance of legitimacy. The sale of counterfeit masks becomes even more dangerous when accompanied by false claims that the products are genuine. Healthcare providers rely on the authenticity of such documents to ensure the safety and quality of the PPE they purchase.
The consequences of Yu’s actions are severe. He now faces up to 10 years in prison, a hefty fine of $2 million, and three years of supervised release. These penalties serve as a stern warning that individuals involved in counterfeiting critical medical supplies will be held accountable for their actions.
Furthermore, as part of his plea agreement, Yu must forfeit a significant amount of counterfeit masks. This ensures that these dangerous products are removed from circulation and cannot further endanger the lives of healthcare workers in the future. Additionally, his luxury vehicles and the substantial amount of money amassed through his illegal activities will be confiscated, providing some restitution for the harm caused.
The case of Jiang Yu serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance in the face of the pandemic. It highlights the need for stringent measures to detect and prevent the sale of counterfeit medical supplies. Healthcare providers, governments, and law enforcement agencies must work together to ensure the safety and integrity of the PPE supply chain.
It is crucial for purchasers to be cautious and verify the authenticity of the products they are acquiring, especially when it comes to critical items like N95 masks. The consequences of using counterfeit PPE can be dire, not only for healthcare providers but also for the general public who rely on their expertise and care.
The sentencing of Jiang Yu will hopefully serve as a deterrent to others who may be considering engaging in similar illegal activities. It sends a clear message that profiting from the sale of fake medical supplies during a crisis will result in severe consequences.
As the pandemic continues, let this case serve as a reminder of the importance of integrity and responsibility. In times of crisis, it is essential to prioritize the well-being and safety of our frontline healthcare workers who risk their lives to care for others.
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