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TO CATCH A FAKE

David Muir's Year-long Counterfeit Investigation Airs On "20/20," Friday, May 15, 10 PM ET on ABC

David Muir heads a year-long "20/20" investigation, with rare access on the ground and behind the scenes with Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, FBI, ICE, Interpol, LAPD, and the LA Sheriff's department as they battle the tidal wave of counterfeits entering our country and being sold online, in stores, and on the streets. From the back streets of Los Angeles, to the suburbs of Kansas and the ports of Miami, "20/20" travels to 24 cities spanning three continents. Muir's eye-opening report airs on "20/20," FRIDAY, MAY 15 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

David Muir takes viewers to the frontlines of the fight, from our nation's ports to the streets where elite units are on patrol busting the fake medicines being sold and is a $47 billion business worldwide. With cameras in hand, he confronts those selling the potentially dangerous drugs to unwitting consumers. "20/20" also goes undercover to storefronts purporting to get customers discounted drugs from Canada, and orders prescription drugs to have them tested. The team discovers everything from expired medication to unknown impurities contained in them.

"20/20" cameras are rolling when law enforcement finds and shows viewers the tricks of the trade of how counterfeiters try to smuggle in a large range of items including goods claiming to be made in America, cell phones, and auto parts. "20/20" locates a victim of one of the largest air bag frauds in history with a fake airbag still in his car. We test it and the results are frightening.

Story: Counterfeiter Tricks of the Trade: How Fake Goods Might Get Past Inspectors http://abcnews.go.com/US/counterfeiter-tricks-trade-fake-goods-past-inspectors/story?id=30961441

Video: How Counterfeiters Used These Tricks to Get Knockoffs into the US From false soles on boots to patches concealing a trademark logo, agents share tactics they've seen used. http://abcnews.go.com/2020/video/counterfeiters-tricks-knockoffs-us-31019756

"20/20" is anchored by Elizabeth Vargas and David Muir. David Sloan is senior executive producer.