A Southern California bakery owner is warning other business owners after she was targeted in an elaborate counterfeit check scam.

Loria Stern, the owner of Eat Your Flowers bakery in Highland Park, has been running her business for 12 years. Throughout that time, Stern said she’s seen her fair share of scams, but this latest scheme truly surprised her.

It began in early August when she was contacted by email asking for an order of 1,000 cupcakes.

The scammer, someone named “Zoe Madison,” said she didn’t want to pay with a credit card or through mobile payment apps, so she sent a check for $7,560 instead.

When Sterns cashed the check at the bank, it initially cleared so she began working on the large cupcake order.

“There were a lot of specific details in the emails going back and forth with her that really made me believe that this order was happening,” Stern said.

However, two days before the scheduled pick-up, she received another email from the suspect saying she needed to revise the cupcake order “due to budget constraints.” She wanted Stern to cut the bakery order in half and refund the difference in cost.

Stern told the customer that wasn’t an option as the order was a custom one.

“The next day, 24 hours before she was supposed to pick up the cupcakes, the funds were withdrawn from my account and it was cited as a counterfeit check,” she recalled.

Stern called the company listed on the check — Peak Trading Corporation located in upstate New York. 

Their accountant told her that 15 other small business owners, specifically within the service industry, had also called with the exact same complaint.

Lou Rabin, a cybersecurity expert, said scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated and able to circumvent any red flags raised by potential victims.

“AI is really changing the game,” Rabin said. “It’s the reason that the English on these emails is impeccable. They’re very persuasive, so business owners really need to understand and have a process for processing orders and verifying your customers.”

As for Stern, she hopes that by sharing her story, she’s able to prevent another business owner from falling prey. 

“This was just a really advanced and a really intricate scam,” she said. “I have a feeling this is their full-time job. They’re doing these elaborate scams to different businesses and I guarantee they’re making money.”

Rabin said it’s important to verify every customer before conducting any large transactions and when possible, speak to a live person over the phone and verify information with an online search.

A vigil was held Friday night marking one year after a deadly mass shooting took place at Cook’s Corner bar in Trabuco Canyon.

Three people were killed and six others were wounded when retired Ventura Police Sgt. John Snowling opened fire inside and outside the bar on Aug. 23, 2023.

Snowling, who authorities said went to the bar to target his estranged wife, died in a gunbattle with Orange County sheriff’s deputies. His wife was wounded but survived.

Body cam footage released by the Sheriff’s Department showed the moments leading up to the deadly shootout with Snowling, including emergency dispatch audio from 911 calls reporting the sounds of gunshots and the chaos of people fleeing the bar. 

Security camera footage captured Snowling opening fire on a crowd of unsuspecting people, running after them and firing from two pistols he carried simultaneously.

Following the shooting, a memorial to the victims, 53-year-old Glen Sprowl of Stanton, 49-year-old Tonya Clark of Scottsdale and 67-year-old John Leehee of Irvine, sat outside the bar.

Community members gathered at the popular bar and restaurant on Friday night to mark one year since the deadly shooting. Many patrons who witnessed the terrifying scenes still remember the fear they felt.

Dave Stretch was playing with his M Street rock cover band at the bar when the gunman opened fire.

“It was the reaction of the room that finally made me think, ‘Oh my gosh. This is real,’” he said.

Stretch was shot on his lower right side near his hip and said it felt like being struck hard with a baseball bat.

“I didn’t see [Snowling] turn around and take a couple of shots at the band,” Stretch said of the frantic moment. “The guitar player was hit and I was hit.”

Cook’s Corner now has a memorial window and a special memorial table to honor the victims. 

“Just the amount of pain and suffering this one individual could cause at such a beautiful place is disgusting,” said Rhonda Palmeri, the bar’s general manager.

“It’s one of those things that makes you say, ‘Man, everybody’s full of life one minute and then you hit this terrible event,’” said Mark Johnson, a band member and witness. “It just reminds you how fast life can change.”

In 2026, Cook’s Corner will celebrate 100 years in business. Many patrons told KTLA the bar’s endurance speaks to the immense connection and resilience of the community and patrons who feel more like family. 

A candlelight vigil and prayer service will be held at the bar on Friday night.

A K-9 unit helped Border Patrol agents seize more than 80 pounds of cocaine that was hidden in an SUV’s dashboard this week.

The vehicle was pulled over on the 15 Freeway near Temecula at about 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a news release.

“During the vehicle stop, a Border Patrol canine team conducted an air sniff of the vehicle and the canine alerted to the possible presence of narcotics,” the release added. “A cursory search of the vehicle revealed what appeared to be cellophane wrapped packages consistent with narcotics smuggling.”

The occupants of the vehicle, whom the Border Patrol did not identify, were arrested.

Back at the Border Patrol station, agents found 31 bundles containing a total of 81 pounds of cocaine hidden inside a “non-factory compartment behind the dashboard,” authorities said.

To report information to the Border Patrol, call 619-498-9900.