The FBI says that it shut down a German-based company selling fake U.S. local and federal law enforcement badges.
Charges were filed against Master-Equipment stemming from an investigation into a phony badge used by a Georgia man last April, according to WXIA-TV.
"The production and sale of genuine-looking federal badges by Master-Equipment potentially places a badge in the hands of individuals, like Daniel Harbison, who are not law enforcement but use them for their own purposes," U.S. Attorney John Horn told the news station.
The agency said that it's the first time such an action has been taken against such a website.
Master-Equipment operated the website www.badge-police.com that was completely in English and appeared to be an official, licensed seller of law enforcement badges.
Britt Johnson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Atlanta told WXIA-TV that the dismantling of companies like Master-Equipment is critical in the post 9/11 era.
,p> "While this case was initiated by an unlawful traffic stop by an individual impersonating a federal law enforcement officer, those circumstances and consequences could have been much different and far more tragic," he said.
Currently, if you attempt to log onto www.badge-police.com, you will be greeted by a message from the FBI that reads: "This domain has been seized by the Federal Bureau of Investigation."
