Long Island woman arrested in $40 MILLION scheme where she 'sold fake Gucci, Chanel' from boutique
A Long Island woman has been busted in a $40 million counterfeit scheme where she allegedly sold fake Gucci, Chanel, Prada and other high-end labels through her boutique.
Lindsay Castelli Bullock, the owner of Linny’s Boutique located in Plainview, was arrested after surrendering to detectives from Nassau County Asset Forfeiture department, officials in Nassau County announced on Tuesday.
The 31-year-old now faces a charge of trademark counterfeiting in the second degree.
Detectives were onto Bullock in a year-long probe that started in April 2021 with the assistance of the United States Postal Inspectors, officials said.
On October 4, detectives raided her boutique located at 1032 Old Country Road and discovered thousands of synthetic heat-sealed counterfeit labels along with assorted clothing and jewelry.
Lindsay Castelli was arrested on Friday in a $40M counterfeit operation in Long Island scheme where she ‘sold fake Gucci, Chanel, Prada and other high-end labels through her boutique’
The mother of four from Smithtown, New York, now faces a charge of trademark counterfeiting in the second degree. Castelli was released on a desk appearance ticket and due back in court on November 2 at First District Court in Hempstead
Castelli sitting on a box of merchandise in what appears to be a storage area filled with a number of unopened cartons and shelves of clothes that look like they have not been taken out of their plastic wrappings
During the search, detectives removed 22 printing press machines and various counterfeit items labeled from Gucci, Chanel, Prada, Dior, Ugg, and Louis Vuitton
A photo of the boutique interior, located at 1032 Old Country Road in Plainview. During the raid, detectives discovered thousands of synthetic heat-sealed counterfeit labels along with assorted clothing and jewelry
Asset Forfeiture Detectives executed the Nassau County Search Warrant and discovered 22 printing press machines and various counterfeit items with Gucci, Chanel, Prada, Dior, Ugg, and Louis Vuitton label.
The combined value of the items was over $40,000,000, officials said. Further investigation revealed the items were being shipped all over the United States.
Before she was caught in her scheme, Castelli had a private group for VIP’s called, ‘Shop Linny’s’ that has a following of 5.0K members. The only way to be part of this exclusive members-only group is to be granted access by an administrator.
On the page, Castelli would post countless selfies modeling the latest styles, and share upcoming sales and details on new arrivals to entice her audience.
Catelli often showed the latest merchandise that arrived at her Plainview boutique on her website and through her private group, Shop Linny’s, that had 5K members
Before she was caught in her scheme, Castelli had a private group called, Shop Linny’s that garnered up to 5.0K members. . The only way to be part of this exclusive members-only group is to be granted access by an administrator
A post from September 22 (pictured) of Castille in ripped denim light blue-washed jeans and a grey-blue button oversized blouse sharing her latest update, is her last post before the gig was up
On August 9, Castelli posted some of her new arrivals that included high-fashion boots, shoes, sneakers
On her Facebook pages Castelli writes ‘A Girl Should Be Two Things: Classy and Fabulous.’ with wearing different outfits as she showcases her Fall arrivals
On September 22 she posted a photo of herself in ripped denim light blue-washed jeans and a grey-blue button oversized blouse sharing her latest update:
‘Sit back, relax and shop with me while sippin’ a glass of wine,’ she wrote.
‘The new LIVE schedule is set to start and starts 9/25!’ Here’s the perks,’ she continued.
On September 8, she issued a post telling her inner circle to download her app and sign up to register ‘by midnight; and when they do, they will receive a $25 shop credit!
The posting had a picture that said: ‘Follow the steps! Everyone is a winner.’
On December 16, 2020, Castille went to Facebook to share her boutique’s grand opening and also share a personal message to her audience.
‘Sometimes you just have to say eff it all and start over. Not worry about what everyone will say or think. Block out the negativity and those that don’t believe.’
Here’s to new beginnings and new ventures.
Her post garnered 414 views and 150 comments.
On December 16, 2020 Castille posts information about her grand opening that garnered 150 comments
Last year, when Castelli needed some extra help she went to her social media looking for new hires: ‘Who loves clothes, is outgoing, wants extra cash, fun to be around and knows how to have a good time?! she wrote.
‘I am hiring 5 of you to work part time! FLEXIBLE schedule, hourly plus commission, must be able to report to Plainview for your desired hours, work as much or as little as you would like but while you’re working you’ve gotta kill it!,’ he said.
Interested?! Drop a comment below and I’ll send you the details
The news of Castelli’s counterfeit bust sent shockwaves through Plainview, Merrick, Dix Hills, Bethpage area – and other neighboring towns in Nassau County.
‘I was surprised,’ said one woman who heard the news and told DailyMail.com that she had been to the store about a month ago.
Some told DailyMail.com that they remember when the store was under a different name. They also said that they thought it was odd that all the items on the floor were on sale.
One woman said that when she stopped at the Plainview boutique a few a few weeks ago, ‘everything was on clearance.’
She said when she returned to the boutique with her daughter, the store was closed.
Castelli has been released on a desk appearance ticket and due back in court on November 2 at First District Court in Hempstead.
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