MONROE DEPUTIES ASSIST IN INVESTIGATION OF LARGE-SCALE FAKE LUXURY GOODS OPERATION
From Monroe County Sheriff Tommy Jones:
In late October-early November 2025, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division (CID) was contacted by a private company that is contracted by numerous high-end clothing and accessory brands to investigate fraudulent sales of counterfeit merchandise commonly known as “dupes” or knock-offs. These contracted investigators work on behalf of luxury companies such as Louis Vuitton, Prada, Coach, and others to identify individuals , websites, and operations involved in the sale of fake items designed to resemble legitimate products.
The investigation company had been tracking a case since November 2023 involving an online retailer known as The Luxe Closet, which was advertising and selling luxury-branded purses, accessories, clothing, and similar items. During their ongoing investigation, the company discovered that The Luxe Closet had moved its distribution operations to Madisonville, Tennessee from Hamilton, Tennessee within the last year (2025). After confirming the location, the company contacted the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and requested local assistance.
To verify the suspected fraud, the MCSO investigators made multiple online purchases and retrieved items directly from the Madisonville distribution center. These items were also confirmed to be fake.
Working jointly with the Madisonville Police Department and the Tenth Judicial District Attorney’s Office, investigators executed a search warrant at the distribution center in Madisonville and at the owner’s residence in Hamilton County.
Inside the distribution Center, detectives located hundreds of counterfeit handbags, wallets, clothing items, jewelry, watches, shoes, and other accessories. Had the items been authentic, their total value would have exceeded hundreds of thousands of dollars. All counterfeit merchandise was seized, along with a portable building used to store the inventory and a vehicle used for deliveries and transport/relocate merchandise from Hamilton County to Madisonville to be sold.
Investigators also recovered fake leather spray that the operation used to make counterfeit items smell and appear more realistic before being shipped to customers. Evidence suggests the counterfeit items originated from outside the United States, and Monroe County CID continues to investigate the international source of the products.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office wants to emphasize that it is not illegal to possess a counterfeit item, but it is illegal to sell or possess one with the intent to sell (TCA 39-14-152 (b) (2). The agency also wishes to make clear that this investigation did not originate locally; the Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the contracted investigative company that had already been tracking this operation for more than two years.
Sheriff Tommy Jones stated, “Our deputies and investigators take these matters very seriously. When we are contacted about criminal activity within Monroe County, we act swiftly and responsibly. This case is an example of how teamwork between private investigators, local agencies, and our office can shut down an operation that was profiting off deception.”
MSCO CID Captain Conway Mason added, “Once information was brought to us, our team moved quickly to verify the fraud and secure the evidence. We will continue working with our partners to follow every lead, including where these items originated and how they were distributed.”
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office became actively involved only after being contacted in late October-early November 2025. Charges are pending as the investigation continues.
