Glendale police crack organized Nordstrom fraud scheme, two suspects arrested - BERITAJA

A monthslong investigation into a suspected unit fraud cognition has led to the apprehension of 2 Glendale residents accused of orchestrating a strategy involving counterfeit returns of high-end merchandise, authorities said Thursday.

The investigation began earlier this twelvemonth erstwhile shop labor astatine luxury retailer Nordstrom flagged suspicious return activity astatine a Glendale location to the Glendale Police Department.

According to investigators, the strategy came to ray successful February erstwhile an worker identified a customer attempting to return what appeared to beryllium a counterfeit item. Then successful March, Nordstrom’s soul investigation squad alerted constabulary to a broader shape of fraudulent transactions.

Authorities allege that the 2 Glendale residents, Arpineh Sarkisian and Argin Gharapetian, began carrying retired the cognition successful 2019. The brace purchased authentic designer equipment online, including designer clothing and cosmetics, earlier returning counterfeit versions for refunds, investigators say.

Designer handbags from brands specified arsenic YSL were cited successful the investigation and weighted astatine about $3,000 each while luxury Gucci shoes were priced astatine complete $1,000.

The suspects conducted much than 244 transactions complete respective years, returning each point purchased, according to police.

Detectives estimate the full attempted fraud exceeded $300,000, pinch confirmed losses to the retailers now reaching about $50,000 arsenic further fraudulent returns proceed to beryllium identified.

On April 22, officers executed a hunt warrant astatine a Glendale residence linked to the suspects. Inside, they discovered a ample amount of designer goods, on pinch counterfeit items, packaging materials, unit tags and identifiable stolen property. Authorities besides recovered grounds suggesting the authentic merchandise was resold done online platforms.

Both suspects were arrested pursuing the hunt and now look aggregate felony charges, including expansive theft, receiving stolen spot and theft by mendacious pretenses, according to authorities. They are scheduled to return to tribunal for arraignment connected Aug. 31.