A Long Island boutique owner launched a $40million counterfeiting scam that saw her iron on Gucci, Chanel and Prada labels on cheaper clothes – then pass them off as the real deal, prosecutors say.
Lindsay Castelli Bullock, owner of Linny’s store in Plainview, was arrested on Tuesday, with the 31-year-old now facing second-degree forgery charges.
The mother-of-four’s store was raided on October 4.
There, Nassau County detectives reportedly found 22 printing presses used to create the fake labels, which were heat-sealed onto the garments with an iron.
Nearby were counterfeit clothes and jewelry that Bullock allegedly misrepresented as genuine Gucci, Chanel, Prada, Dior, Ugg and Louis Vuitton.
Cops said the combined value of the clothes would have been $40 million if Bullock had managed to convince his customers they were genuine and sell them.
In addition to his sparse gray retail store, Bullock also reportedly ran the program through a private Facebook group called Shop Linnys, which had 5,000 members.
Once approved to join, potential buyers were bombarded with statuses showing Bullock herself modeling what she claimed was designer gear, while encouraging them to buy it.
But Bullock’s antics also caught the attention of cops, who began probing his business in April 2021.
They called United States Postal Inspectors to help with the investigation, which likely involved seizing packages so that their contents were then assessed to see if they were genuine.
Having decided that Bullock was a con artist, detectives mounted the raid.
Lindsay Bullock was arrested Friday in connection with a $40 million counterfeit operation on Long Island where she ‘sold fake Gucci, Chanel, Prada and other high-end brands through her boutique’
On December 16, 2020, Bullock releases information about its grand opening which garnered 150 comments
The Smithtown, New York mother-of-four now faces a second-degree trademark infringement charge. Bullock was released on an appearance ticket and is due back in court on November 2 at Hempstead First District Court
Bullock is pictured sitting in what appears to be her store, with cops saying the clothes she sold were all counterfeit
On September 22, Bullock posted a photo of herself in ripped light blue jeans and an oversized gray-blue button-down blouse sharing her latest update:
“Sit back, relax and shop with me while sipping a glass of wine,” she wrote.
“The new LIVE program is ready to go and starts on 9/25!” Here are the benefits,” she continued.
On September 8, she posted a message telling those around her to download her app and sign up to register “by midnight; and when they do, they’ll receive a $25 shopping credit!
The post had a photo that read: ‘Follow the steps! Everyone wins.
On December 16, 2020, Castille took to Facebook to share her boutique grand opening and also share a personal message to her audience.
“Sometimes you just have to say it all and start over. Don’t worry about what everyone will say or think. Block negativity and disbelievers.
Here are new beginnings and new ventures.
His post garnered 414 views and 150 comments.
During the search, detectives removed 22 printing presses and various tagged counterfeit items from Gucci, Chanel, Prada, Dior, Ugg and Louis Vuitton.
A photo of the interior of the store, located at 1032 Old Country Road in Plainview. During the raid, detectives discovered thousands of synthetic heat-sealed counterfeit tags along with assorted clothing and jewelry, it is alleged
Catelli often showed off the latest merchandise arriving at its Plainview store on its website and through its private group, Shop Linny’s, which had 5,000 members.
Prior to being caught up in her scheme, Castelli had a private group called Shop Linny’s which amassed up to 5,000 members. The only way to be part of this exclusive members-only group is to get access from an administrator
A September 22 post (pictured) of Bullock in ripped light blue jeans and an oversized gray-blue button down blouse sharing his latest update. This was to be its last update before being discontinued on October 4.
On August 9, Bullock released some of its newest releases, including high fashion boots, shoes and sneakers. Cops say they were all fakes
On her Facebook pages, Bullock writes ‘A girl should be two things: chic and fabulous’, while wearing different outfits as she showcases her fall arrivals
Last year, when Bullock needed some extra help, she took to her social media to find new recruits: “Who loves clothes, is outgoing, wants extra money, has fun and knows how to have a good time?” she wrote.
‘I’m hiring 5 of you to work part-time! A FLEXIBLE schedule, schedule plus commission, must be able to report to Plainview for the hours you want, work as much or as little as you want, but while you work you have to kill it!” he said.
‘Interested?! Leave a comment below and I’ll send you the details. No one else has been arrested in connection with the investigation into Bullock’s alleged forgery.
News of Castelli’s counterfeit bust sent shockwaves through Plainview, Merrick, Dix Hills, the Bethpage area – and other nearby towns in Nassau County.
“I was surprised,” said a woman who heard the news and told DailyMail.com she went to the store about a month ago.
Some told DailyMail.com they remember when the store was under a different name. They also said they thought it was odd that all the items on the floor were on sale.
One woman said when she stopped by the Plainview store a few weeks ago, ‘everything was on clearance’.
She said when she returned to the store with her daughter, the store was closed.
Castelli was released on an appearance ticket and is due back in court on November 2 at Hempstead First District Court.
