Two brothers were arrested for orchestrating a multi-million dollar counterfeit ring that sold items like Vaseline, Vicks VapoRub, and Always sanitary pads to the unsuspecting public. Nassau County DA Kathleen Rice said, "Health and beauty products like lip balms, oils, shampoos and inhalers are highly regulated in order to protect consumers, but these defendants are charged with going around those protections and stealing the brands of major corporations that comply with the law." She added, "These products were done with a level of professionalism that is absolutely frightening."

Pardeep Malik, 59, of Plainview, and Hamant Mullick, 60 of Franklin Square, were charged with numerous counts of trademarks counterfeiting. The brothers' alleged scam was uncovered when Valley Stream Fire Department officials were following up on a fire investigation and found what looked like a counterfeiting operation. Then manufacturers confirmed the products were fakes. The products were sold to distributors in New York, Pennsylvania and Florida. According to Rice's office, "The distributors appear to be selling primarily or exclusively to smaller, independently-owned stores rather than large corporate chains."

Authorities needed four tractor-trailers to remove $2 million worth of fake items from brands like Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Procter and Gamble, and Unilever, including ChapStick, Johnson’s Baby Oil, Vicks VapoRub, Vicks Inhaler, Vaseline and Always sanitary pads. Items like over-the-counter cold medication were found at the counterfeiting location, but it's unclear if they were made there.

One brand said it was the largest counterfeiting manufacturing operation in the country.

Here are the Nassau County DA's tips for trying to ID a fake:
- First look for obvious signs—a strange picture on the package, strange languages for your locale, strange colors, or strange typeface.
- If the illegitimate product is more sophisticated, however, it can be hard to tell from looking. The next best way is to consider the price paid. If the price was atypically low, without any kind of coupon or special promotion, then it may be illegitimate.
- Counterfeit products will not have the same quality or consistency of real products.
- Also look at the expiration date, as this can be another indicator of a fake.
- Try to shop at established and trusted stores, which are highly likely to be connected to legitimate supply chains.