PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — Authorities say investigators arrested two people following the discovery of more than $2 million in counterfeit merchandise in Palm Beach County.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office says private merchandise investigators from A Action Investigations contacted the agency on Wednesday and said a man, later identified as 32-year-old Steven Michael Price, was selling a huge amount of fake watches under a woman's name through the LetGo app.
PBSO said undercover detectives met up with Price around 11 a.m. at a Peter Piper Pizza on Jog Road in Greenacres under the guise of purchasing counterfeit Rolex watches.
According to his arrest report, Price told the detectives he was selling the watches for between $250 and $300.
Price told the detectives he's the "biggest in South Florida" and sells "400 pieces a month," his arrest report stated. The detectives also said Price told them he could get "Super Clone" watches that are "putting jewelry stores out of business."
After purchasing four counterfeit watches for $900, the detectives took Price into custody.
According to his arrest report, Price told investigators "he was trying to provide a better life for his girlfriend," later identified as 37-year-old Deva Overman.
PBSO secured a warrant and said a search of Price and Overman's apartment in Boynton Beach turned up several counterfeit watches and bags. In all, investigators said they recovered $2,399,400 in counterfeit property from the couple.
Price and Overman were arrested on counterfeiting charges. Price faces an additional weapons-related charge, according to jail records.
Price is a U.S. Navy veteran.
In court on Thursday, a judge set bond at $5,000 for both Price and Overman, and ordered them to not have any contact with each other.
Better Business Bureau CEO Rodney Davis said counterfeit goods are everywhere with the rise of apps like LetGo.
"I think it’s really the wild, wild west unfortunately because you can ask a question, but if they are bogus sellers, are they really going to give you the truth?" said Davis.
Davis added buyers should be cautious and only use credit cards because there's some recourse.
"I would go in there with the expectation that whatever is being sold there is probably not going to be legitimate, authentic," said Davis.