SoCal-Based Chinese Nationals Face Charges in Alleged Apple Device Fraud

Prosecutors say the five defendants took bogus devices to Apple stores and had them replaced with genuine items, then sold the real items for a large profit.

A pedestrian walks by an Apple Store in Berkeley, Calif., on Aug. 4, 2023. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Five Chinese nationals face federal charges alleging they operated a counterfeit Apple Inc. device scheme that included the fraudulent returns of thousands of bogus iPhones, iPads, and other products at stores throughout Southern California.

Prosecutors in downtown Los Angeles said the scheme cost Apple at least $12.3 million in losses.