82 Counterfeit Websites Shut Down on Cyber Monday

"Reuters is reporting that 82 websites selling counterfeit and pirated goods were shut down on Monday in a move that was timed with the start of the online holiday shopping season.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said, ""As of today -- what is known as 'Cyber Monday' and billed as the busiest online shopping day of the year -- anyone attempting to access one of these websites using its domain name will no longer be able to make a purchase.""

The crackdown, also known as ""Operation In Our Sites II,"" was aimed at counterfeit retailers, including sports equipment and apparel, shoes, handbags, sunglasses and illegal copies of DVDs, music and software.

Visitors to these sites are greeted with a message declaring the domain name has been seized by federal law authorities and warning that buying counterfeit goods is federal crime with penalties of up to 10 years in jail and a $2million fine."