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FBI agents say they nailed a coronavirus snake oil salesman -- a SoCal man who allegedly claimed he had a cure, and used Magic Johnson's name to try to snare investors.

Ya just knew this was bound to happen ... the FBI arrested Keith Lawrence Middlebrook Wednesday evening in an undercover sting. The feds say Middlebrook delivered pills to an agent posing as a potential investor.

He allegedly claimed to have developed a "patent-pending cure" that would prevent people from getting infected, and also treat those already suffering from COVID-19.

The feds say Middlebrook solicited funds from investors and promised huge profits from his company, Quantum Prevention CV. For instance, the FBI says he told a cooperating witness a $1 million investment would turn into $200 to $300 million, conservatively.

He also allegedly dropped Magic Johnson's name to at least one potential investor ... claiming Magic was on his board of directors. The feds say they checked with Magic, who confirmed he had NO clue about Middlebrook or his "company."

Attorney General William Barr warned this week, during a White House briefing, the feds would come down hard on anyone preying on fears surrounding the pandemic.

True enough, Middlebrook's been charged with wire fraud, which carries a max sentence of 20 years.

"I said it before you piece of sh*t, nobody will lose their job at UFC."

That's Dana White going scorched-earth over a false report about layoffs at the UFC -- with Dana making it crystal clear NO ONE who works for him will be let go during the coronavirus pandemic.

The video speaks for itself ... White is PISSED at a report in a major media publication Wednesday titled, "UFC Hit with Layoffs."

That report has since been taken down, but Dana is obviously upset that it ever went up in the first place.

The confusion, it seems, is that Endeavor -- which owns UFC and other businesses -- is reportedly letting around 250 people go as a result of the pandemic. But, Dana says ZERO of those employees are coming from his staff.

"First of all, it's not true," Dana says ... "I'm telling you guys again, most of what you read is not true."

And, he delivered a personal message to the reporter behind the story -- "You don't know anything about this f**king situation and you definitely don't know nothing about the sport you jerk off."

"And, for somebody who's supposed to be a reporter to be gloating about people losing their jobs?! I said it before, you piece of sh*t, nobody will lose their job at the UFC! Nobody's getting laid off, it's not gonna happen!"

"The other side of Endeavor laid some people off. I'm not laying anybody off. It's not gonna happen!"

On a related note, Dana has said he's working hard to put together future UFC events -- including Tony Ferguson vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov.

LeBron James is so appreciative of the heroic efforts by the UCLA health staff amid the coronavirus pandemic ... he sent them a thank you video Wednesday -- and it's awesome.

"I just want to let you know that ya'll hard work and ya'll dedication does not go unnoticed," the LA Lakers superstar said. "The James Gang family here thanks you guys and hopefully we can get back on our feet and we can get back to our everyday lives very soon."

Los Angeles county reportedly has 670 confirmed cases of COVID-19 ... and many UCLA doctors, nurses and support staff have been tasked with not only treating those patients, but helping prevent the spread to others as well.

The team has put in hours and hours of overtime to deal with the pandemic ... and in his video this week, Bron couldn't have been more grateful.

"I just want to say thank you once again," James said. "Like I said, do not think for one second that you guys are not recognized, that you guys are going unnoticed."

James added, "The time and the commitment that you guys are putting in, it's truly commendable and remarkable at the same time. So, God bless you guys and can't wait to see you guys again. One love."

Other athletes across major sports are showing similar love to medical staff around the country ... NY Mets slugger Pete Alonso sent out personalized vids Wednesday as well.

Elton John's trading his usual sold-out arena shows for something much simpler -- playing maestro for a series of living room concerts ... to help fight the coronavirus.

Sir Elton will be hosting iHeart Radio's 'Living Room Concert for America' next week. It's an hour-long FOX TV and online benefit concert to support heroic healthcare workers and first responders on the frontline of the pandemic.

The living room performers include Alicia Keys, Billie Eilish, Tim McGraw, Billie Joe Armstrong, Backstreet Boys, Mariah Carey and more.

The artists will each perform a set from their own homes -- recorded on their personal phones -- in order to continue practicing the "stay at home" and social distancing guidelines.

Viewers will be encouraged to donate to 2 charitable groups helping both COVID-19 victims and workers as part of the musical pledge drive. Those groups are Feeding America and First Responders Children's Foundation.

Camila Cabello says she's putting her upcoming world tour on ice before it even begins ... because things just ain't safe out there due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The "Senorita" singer announced Tuesday she's postponing her "Romance" tour, which was set to kick off in May and make stops across Europe and the United States, areas that are being ravaged by the virus.

Camila says she's postponing the tour as an extreme precaution and to protect her fans, team, dancers, band, crew and loved ones.

Concerts and social distancing just don't mix, and Camila says she can't even get her group together to start rehearsing. The singer is hoping to reschedule as soon as possible.

Purell's hand sanitizer sales have skyrocketed in recent weeks amid the coronavirus pandemic, but it might have to use some of that money for legal fees ... it's been hit with a class action lawsuit alleging its germ-killing claims are BS.

Purell manufacturer, Gojo Industries, was sued last week in Ohio federal court by 4 individuals claiming the Purell packaging flaunts "misleading claims" about the effectiveness of its product.

According to the legal docs ... Purell's front label claims that it "kills 99.99% of illness causing germs" implies that figure is backed by scientific support, but the folks suing say none exists.

Likewise, the suit adds that Purell hand sanitizer claims to help prevent infection and diseases, but there's allegedly "no sound scientific evidence to support the claims."

The lawsuit also mentions a letter sent by the FDA to Gojo in January, which plaintiffs' claim describes Purell as "nothing more than a topical antiseptic," which was not safe and effective in preventing infection.

It's officially curtains for the XFL's season ... the league is shutting down due to coronavirus.

Vince McMahon's org. decided to postpone the re-inaugural season last week ... but given recent state regulations handed down across the country, there was no way the shop could stay open.

"The COVID-19 pandemic, and the most recent local and state regulations, have left the XFL no choice but to officially cancel the remainder of the 2020 season," the league said in a statement.

"This decision has been made with the health and safety of the entire XFL family as our top priority."

The league makes it crystal clear -- the XFL WILL be back in 2021, despite the rough ending to the 2020 season.

FYI -- the coronavirus made its way to the league just days ago ... with a Seattle Dragons player testing positive for the infection.

"When our teams return to the field, we’ll make every effort to ensure your faith in us is rewarded with even more fun and excitement. Your passion is our purpose, and everything we do, every day and for every season to come, is For the Love of Football."

New York is hitting pause amid the coronavirus pandemic ... the entire state is shutting down to protect residents from the outbreak.

New Yorkers will only be allowed to leave their homes for essential business, and all other workers are being told to stay home, as ordered by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who says there will be a civil fine and mandatory closure for any biz not in compliance.

Cuomo is calling this, "New York state on pause," and he says it's the most drastic action the state can take to fight the outbreak.

The shutdown rules -- remain indoors aside from solitary exercise outside, pre-screen all visitors and aides by taking temperatures, don't visit households with multiple people, vulnerable people should wear a mask around others, stay at least 6 feet away from individuals, only take public transportation if it's urgent and absolutely necessary.

Cuomo says the state has more than 7,000 confirmed coronavirus cases ... this out of more than 32,000 individual tests.

New York follows the entire state of California in putting non-essential workers on 24-hour virus lockdown ... meaning 1 in 5 Americans are being told to stay home.

Cuomo says the mandate is not a "shelter in place" order ... and he says mass transit workers, restaurant staff doing delivery and take-out count as essential workers and can still go to work.

Los Angeles is implementing what seems to be inevitably coming for the rest of the U.S. sooner than later -- a 24-hour mandated quarantine for all residents to help "flatten the curve" of the coronavirus pandemic.

L.A. residents will no longer be able to leave their homes around-the-clock for the next month -- as ordered by Mayor Eric Garcetti -- except for medical reasons and grocery store runs. It's called the "Safer at Home" order.

The new countywide policy comes on the heels of the city of San Francisco enacting the same rules, which match what Italy began doing last week after it was hit hard by COVID-19 cases.

Garcetti says the lockdown will be in effect starting Friday and ending on April 19 ... at least that's the plan for now.

The "Safer at Home" order mandates the closure of all shopping centers, indoor malls, playgrounds and non-essential business, while also prohibiting gatherings of more than 10 people in enclosed spaces.

Residents can still leave their homes to go on walks to get exercise, and to get food and gas. People can also leave their homes to go care for loved ones.

As we reported ... along with the San Fran shutdown, 6 additional Bay Area counties told residents to "shelter in place," which means unless your work falls under the list of "essential businesses," you're ordered to stay home.

That list includes healthcare operations, grocery stores, shelters, media outlets, gas stations, banks and restaurants -- but only for takeout and delivery. And, now L.A. is doing the same.