A Raleigh resident, Mateen Mohammad Alinaghian, 31, has been sentenced to one year and a day in federal prison for importing and selling thousands of counterfeit car airbags in the Raleigh area over a two-year period. The court also ordered Alinaghian to pay $83,405.95 in restitution to victims who unknowingly purchased counterfeit airbags and to car manufacturers. Additionally, he must forfeit $154,693.16.
According to court documents, Alinaghian imported about 2,500 counterfeit airbags between May 2022 and April 2024 from a supplier in the United Kingdom. The airbags bore fake markings of brands such as Honda, Chevrolet, General Motors, and Toyota. He sold these products locally and online using Facebook Marketplace profiles “Matt AutoParts” and “Medo Smith.”
Testing by Honda, General Motors, and Toyota showed that the counterfeit steering wheel airbags were not produced by these companies and often contained inferior materials. In several tests, the fake airbags malfunctioned—either failing to inflate fully or inflating late—which could cause serious injury to drivers.
“Unregulated and untested counterfeit airbags threaten the safety of the traveling public and place unsuspecting consumers at significant risk,” said Greg Thompson, Special Agent-in-Charge with the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General for the Mid-Atlantic Region. “Today’s sentencing underscores DOT-OIG’s commitment to working with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners to keep these dangerous products out of the nation’s vehicles and off our roads.”
“This case spotlights the serious consumer health and safety dangers posed by many counterfeit products like fake vehicle airbags and exemplifies the importance of interagency cooperation in protecting public safety and bringing counterfeiters to justice,” stated Secretary of State Elaine Marshall.
The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with support from the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General. A search at Alinaghian’s residence resulted in the seizure of about 20 counterfeit airbags. Customs officials also intercepted packages from the UK containing additional fake airbags intended for Alinaghian.
Following identification of his supplier in the UK, HSI contacted law enforcement there. On September 19, 2024, officers from London Police’s Intellectual Property Crime Unit searched two homes and one business address, seizing 500 counterfeit airbags and approximately £140,000 in cash. Three individuals were arrested on suspicion of fraud-related offenses; investigations continue.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported that between September 2023 and July 2024 three deaths and two injuries occurred in the U.S., linked to vehicles fitted with substandard replacement airbags.
Consumers who suspect they have purchased a counterfeit airbag are advised to consult their dealership or a trusted mechanic for inspection or replacement advice. They are also encouraged to report concerns through their local Homeland Security Investigations office or submit complaints online via agencies such as the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center or NHTSA.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Haughton prosecuted this case. The investigation received assistance from North Carolina’s Secretary of State Trademark Enforcement Division Anti-Counterfeit Task Force.
