Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Psst: That Gucci Bag You Bought By the Huntington Beach Pier Is Probably Not the Real Deal
Agents seize fake goods in 'Operation Fashion Faux Pas' (Photo courtesy ICE)
()
Sorry label lovers, if you've been buying your Gucci and Louis Vuitton accessories out of kiosks by the Huntington Beach Pier, or in some other random Orange County spots, you may have been duped by phony goods. And those phony goods--and their sellers--have just been busted in something the feds called "Operation Fashion Faux Pas."
()
Handbag seized in 'Operation Fashion Faux Pas' (Photo courtesy ICE)
Indeed, it is a huge no-no to sport a fake Chanel bag or shades (at least if you're trying to pass it off as the real thing). It's also illegal to sell them, which is where special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) came in.This week they "executed state search warrants this week against five local vendors and seized more than $200,000 worth of goods, capping a six month crackdown" in the OC, explains ICE.
For this round of "Operation Fashion Faux Pas" busts, ICE cracked down on Tustin hair salon, a Garden Grove shoe store and several retail kiosks near the Huntington Beach pier. They also showed up at the private residences of named sellers.
Support for LAist comes from
Goods seized included "purses, jewelry, sunglasses, cosmetics and perfume, bear the counterfeit trademarks of more than two dozen well-known brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Rolex, Hermes and Chanel."
The moral of the story, savvy shoppers, is that while buying knockoffs might save you some bucks, the feds want you to remember that crime never pays.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Kimmel returned less than a week after ABC suspended his show over comments he made about the assassination of right wing activist Charlie Kirk. -
Southern California might see some light rain tonight into Wednesday morning. After that, cooler weather is on the way, but expect the humidity to remain. -
A gate tax at Disney? It's a possibility. -
UCLA and University of California leaders are fighting Trump’s demands for a $1.2 billion settlement over a litany of accusations, including that the campus permits antisemitism. -
Wasteland Weekend is all about souped-up rust buckets, spikey costumes and an ‘ideal apocalypse.’ -
The Shadow the Scientists initiative at UC Santa Cruz strives to demystify astronomical research.
Best of LAist