A scam involving “returning” some 16,000 counterfeit iPhones and iPads to Apple stores has resulted in five arrests that could lead to decades behind bars.
Several crime rings have returned fake iPhones for genuine replacements
Several crime rings have returned fake iPhones for genuine replacements
A criminal ring operating throughout southern California has been charged with stealing some $12.3 million worth of Apple products by “returning” real-looking counterfeits that didn’t work to Apple Stores. The stores would then replace the non-functional clones with genuine iPhones and iPads, which were then shipped overseas.
Five Chinese nationals living in the Los Angeles area were apprehended on May 30th, 2024. Yang Song, Junwei Jiang, Zhengxuan Hu, Yushan Lin, and Shuyi Xing will be tried on charges of aggravated identity theft, conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit goods, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud.
Originally appeared here:
Five indicted in $12M fake Apple devices fraud case in southern California