When you think about effective treatments for pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, COPD, cystic fibrosis, tuberculosis and respiratory viral conditions, you might likely thing that a good place to start is a medical professional. A few years ago, however, you could have been one of Sami Arshak Yanikian's customers, who bought some of his “Sam’s Inhaler Spray For Viral Respiratory Infections” and “Sam’s Universal Oral Spray," or other bogus products claiming they could cure illnesses, including bird flu, tuberculosis and SARS. more ›

Inspectors at LAX today encountered a not-so-pretty find : About 5,400 fake M.A.C makeup brushes attempting to land in L.A. from China, reports CBS2. The faux beauty tools arrived, and seized, " in five shipments at an air cargo express consignment location between Jan. 20 and Feb. 11," according to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) rep. The big pile of fake M.A.C. was estimated as having a retail value of $112,500. Okay, so are fake makeup brushes really a big deal? Yes, say customs officials, because they're sort of a gateway drug to other offenses: "the trading of illegitimate goods is often linked to and provides funding for various other criminal enterprises." more ›

City Controller Wendy Greuel is working hard to stamp out counterfeiters, whose fake DVDs, CDs, and clothes glut the streets of Los Angeles and represent theft from hardworking Angelenos, explains a press release issued by her office regarding "Operation Chimney Sweep," the crack down by the Los Angeles Anti-Piracy Task Force hailed as "the largest raid on counterfeit goods in Los Angeles history." more ›

The Fine Art Treasures Gallery ran a DirecTV and Dish Network show, and sold art to more than 10,000 customers around the United States, bringing in more than $20 million. However, on-air auctioneer James Mobley, 63, of Woodland Hills, is going to get a whole lot of time to watch TV shows, since he's been sentenced to 5 years in federal prison for pedaling fake art--forging the signatures of Picasso, Dali, Chagall, and more--and skipping out on his taxes. Mobley's sentencing follows that of the married couple, Gerald Sullivan and Kristine Eubanks of La Cañada Flintridge, who were sentenced earlier this year after pleading guilty to several federal charges. more ›

"MAJOR EARTHQUAKE WARNING; 6.0 to 7.0 earthquake likely in S California; Sep 30. Foreshocks Sep 27-28: Please Retweet." was one of principle Tweets heard 'round the world, shaking people hard enough to make them forget that earthquakes are, essentially, unpredictable. Similar Tweets issued from the Quakeprediction account over the next several hours warned of the quake's arrival in 80 hours, then 60 hours. more ›

The blog LA Eastside has designed some fake signs (online only) for new Eastside Extension of Metro's Gold Line. Needless to say, it's causing some controversy within the comments section of the post as well as apparently prompting confused calls from riders to Metro. So what does Metro do? They blog: more ›

The LAPD is on the lookout for a man who impersonates a police officer and robs them. He's struck at least four times--twice in the Rampart area and once in Olympic and Pacific--over the last couple of months in various neighborhoods around the city. Usually operating in the late morning or early afternoon, he approaches victims dressed as a plain clothes police officer, complete with badge and gun. He'll search the victim and remove cash and wallets. more ›

A press release from the University of California today announced a new revolutionary program wherein tuition will be free. Pretty cool, right? Too bad it's a fake press release from a fake website mocking University President Mark G. Yudof and the Regents. Here's a fun little sample: more ›

Three people have been arrested for posing as undercover police officers in order to rob homes and police believe there are more victims out there. Late last month, three suspects posing as LAPD undercover narcotics officers knocked on an apartment door in the 400 block of N. Normandie Avenue. more ›

Foreclosed homes feelings oft beget strong feelings and emotions for owners, but this Riverside man took it way too far. Says the LA Times: "A U.S. Bank representative was checking the house Tuesday in the 1400 block of Orange Street when he discovered several explosives outside the structure. Officers from the Riverside Police Department arrived about 2:45 p.m. and confirmed the explosives were made to look like pipe bombs, officials said in a statement." Daniel Gherman, 42, was booked on several counts. more ›

In L.A., even some palms decide to go through plastic surgery. The City will not be planting anymore palm trees, but not to fear -- developers and cell phone companies are all about it. Still, our favorite is the fake pine tree in the Sepulveda Pass along the 405.... more ›