Counterfeit Airbags: A Deadly Online Scam

Former DOT Employee Sentenced for Selling Counterfeit Airbags: A Warning to Online BuyersA former North Carolina Department of Transportation employee, Mateen Mohammad Alinaghian, has been sentenced to federal prison for selling counterfeit airbags through Facebook Marketplace. He imported approximately 2,500 airbags from the UK, posing serious safety risks to unsuspecting buyers. Victims and car manufacturers are owed over $83,000 in restitution, and Alinaghian must forfeit more than $154,000. Experts warn that these fake parts, though appearing genuine, can fail to deploy correctly in a crash, potentially causing fatalities. Major car manufacturers confirmed Alinaghians airbags were counterfeit and made with low-quality materials. This case serves as a stark reminder for consumers to be extremely cautious when purchasing automotive parts online, especially safety-critical components like airbags. DNN | The Daily News Now! The world’s first global local news network. Every city. Every story. AI powered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.