Man Pleads Guilty in Sales of Counterfeit Chips to US Navy

A 32-year old California man pled guilty to the charge of selling counterfeit chips to the US Navy… and an unnamed vacuum manufacturer. You would think that the DoD would be more diligent in checking into their parts sources, considering the stakes involved.

They would buy counterfeit chips from China or else take legitimate chips, sand off the brand markings and melt the plastic casings with acid to make them appear to be of higher quality or a different brand, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a press release. According to court filings, the accused imported more than 13,000 fake chips, worth more than US$140,000. They sold counterfeit Intel, Fujitsu, Via, National Semiconductor and Analog Devices chips, filings state.

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