Information reaching Kossyderrickent has it that A Long Island “boutique” owner was nabbed with more than $40 million in fake designer goods — part of an illicit she peddled around the country, authorities said Tuesday.
Lindsay Castelli, 31, of Smithtown sold faux Gucci, Chanel, Prada, Dior, Ugg, and Louis Vuitton knockoffs to scores of unsuspecting customers through websites and her store, officials said.
Nassau County detectives recovered 22 printing presses at the store that were used to create “thousands of synthetic heat-sealed counterfeit labels,” which Castelli would then attach to the cheap clothing items before jacking their price way up, police said.
“A simple $10 sweatshirt, you put the Chanel brand on it, it sells for $5,300,” Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said at a press conference.
“They would take a hat, a $3 hat, a 50-cent item on the side. They would heat-seal it onto the hat and sell the hat for $300,’’ Ryder said.
During a news conference Tuesday, detectives said Castelli would create “thousands” of synthetic heat-sealed counterfeit labels then attach them to very cheap clothing items before significantly raising the price.
“A simple $10 sweatshirt, you put the Chanel brand on it, it sells for $5,300,” Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said. “They would take a hat, a $3 hat, a 50-cent item on the side. They would heat seal it onto the hat and sell the hat for $300.”
Police said the items Castelli was selling would be worth over $40 million if they were authentic.
“This was a sophisticated operation investigating two fashion merchandise companies, Christian Salvatore New York and Linny’s Boutique,’’ Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said, according to CBS. “This was not a mom-and-pop operation.”
Nassau County police said the investigation into Castelli’s operations was a joint venture with the U.S. Postal Inspectors.
“Not only did she cheat the retail industry, but she also cheated postal customers that must ultimately shoulder the costly burden,” U.S. Postal Inspector Glen McKechnie said, according to the New York Post.
Castelli reportedly shipped “thousands of pounds” of counterfeit merchandise all over the country to unsuspecting customers.
The New York Post reported Castelli’s website, prior to shutting down, read, “Here at Linnys we handpick each item to fit the fashion needs of all our babes! We stay ahead of the fashion trends to make sure you are always looking your best!”
The shop’s website and social media pages were all deactivated or not operational as of Tuesday evening.
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