FBI Criminal Investigation into Counterfeit Network Hardware

"At the request of another federal government agency, on January 11, 2008, the FBI's Cyber Division provided an unclassified PowerPoint presentation and briefing on efforts to counter the production and distribution of counterfeit network hardware. This unclassified briefing was never intended for broad distribution or posting to the Internet.

This presentation discussed cyber threats including Operation Cisco Raider. In late February 2008, the FBI and its partners at the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced the culmination of this two-year operation. Operation Cisco Raider targeted illegal distributors of counterfeit network hardware manufactured in China and included 15 investigations across nine FBI field offices and the execution of 39 search warrants. Through collaboration with our partners in the private sector, government, and law enforcement, we disrupted a large distribution network and recovered approximately 3,500 counterfeit network components with an estimated retail value of over $3.5 million.

We appreciate all of the support of our partners, especially Cisco Systems, who deserve great praise for their cooperation in this operation."