Toronto police say two men have been charged after investigators seized more than 16,000 pieces of allegedly counterfeit soccer merchandise ahead of the FIFA World Cup. Police described the seizure, valued at more than $3.5 million, as the largest counterfeit soccer merchandise seizure in Canadian history.

Two men have been charged after Toronto police seized more than 16,000 pieces of allegedly counterfeit soccer merchandise in what investigators are calling the largest seizure of its kind in Canadian history.

The seizure comes shortly before the FIFA World Cup, a period when police say counterfeit goods and other event-related frauds can increase as fans look for jerseys, flags, hats, and other merchandise connected to major teams and global brands.

According to Toronto police, the investigation began after officers received a complaint from Lipkus Law LLP, a law firm connected to the Canadian Anti-Counterfeiting Network. Investigators then traced the matter to a warehouse in Mississauga, where police allege a large quantity of counterfeit merchandise was being stored and supplied to retail stores.

Police say the seized items included merchandise purporting to be connected to major brands and organizations, including FIFA, Nike, Adidas, and Puma. The total estimated street value of the seized goods was reported to be more than $3.5 million.

A 41-year-old man from Milton and a 62-year-old man from Mississauga were arrested and charged with fraud over $5,000, along with multiple other fraud-related offences. The allegations have not been proven in court.

Toronto police said the operation was designed to exploit sports fans and take advantage of demand ahead of the World Cup. Investigators also warned that counterfeiting can be connected to broader criminal activity, including organized crime networks.

Counterfeit merchandise cases often involve more than lost sales for legitimate businesses. Fake goods can mislead consumers, damage brands, and create safety risks where products are poorly manufactured or distributed outside regulated channels. In major-event settings, counterfeiters may also capitalize on urgency, limited availability, and high demand.

Consumers are being urged to watch for warning signs when buying sports merchandise. Red flags can include unusually low prices, poor stitching, misspelled branding, inconsistent tags, low-quality packaging, and sellers who cannot clearly explain where the product came from.

The case also highlights the broader fraud risks surrounding major sporting events. Large events can attract scams involving fake tickets, counterfeit merchandise, unauthorized resale activity, fraudulent travel packages, and deceptive online listings.

Anyone who believes they purchased counterfeit goods is encouraged to report the matter to police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

The charges mark a significant enforcement action ahead of the World Cup and a reminder that counterfeit goods are not simply bargain alternatives. Police and anti-counterfeiting advocates say these operations can harm consumers, legitimate retailers, and the broader marketplace.

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Originally published on Canadian Fraud News.