Glendale pair busted in $300K Nordstrom counterfeit return scam

A yearslong retail scam targeting high-end designer goods unraveled after a suspicious return at a Los Angeles-area mall — leading to the arrest of two local residents accused of costing Nordstrom hundreds of thousands.

Two Glendale residents are accused of orchestrating a scheme that netted more than $300,000 in fraudulent refunds by purchasing luxury items and returning counterfeit versions, according to the Glendale Police Department.

The case dates back to 2019 but only came to light in February 2026, when a Nordstrom employee at the Americana at Brand flagged a return involving a fake item, according to a news release from police.

That tip triggered a deeper investigation, with Nordstrom’s internal team identifying a pattern of suspicious returns tied to Arpineh Sarkisian and Argin Gharapetian.

Cops say the pair made more than 224 purchases of high-end clothing, handbags and cosmetics, including Yves Saint Laurent bags valued at nearly $3,000 and Gucci shoes priced at over $1,000 — and returned every single item.

Authorities allege the suspects bought authentic merchandise online, then swapped counterfeit versions when returning the goods — both in-store and through Nordstrom’s distribution system.

The losses quickly piled up.

Police estimate the potential loss to Nordstrom exceeds $300,000 with at least $50,000 in confirmed fraudulent returns identified so far.

Detectives served a search warrant at the suspects’ Glendale home on April 22, where they say they recovered a large cache of designer merchandise, counterfeit goods, tags and packaging materials, along with evidence suggesting the authentic items were being resold online.

Sarkisian and Gharapetian were arrested on multiple charges, including felony grand theft, receiving stolen property and theft by false pretenses. They are due back in court Aug. 31.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters