A recent case in the United States has seen a man sentenced to 51 months in prison for orchestrating a scheme that trafficked counterfeit Apple products, resulting in a loss of $6.1 million for the tech giant. Zhiwei “Allen” Liao, based in San Diego, led an international ring that swapped genuine iPhones and iPads with counterfeit ones from China in the US and Canada.
According to the Office of the United States Attorney Southern District of California, Zhiwei Liao’s fraudulent activities involved importing fake iPhones and iPads from China, complete with authentic-looking identification numbers that matched those of genuine Apple products previously sold in the US and Canada. These counterfeit devices were then sent primarily to China, where they were sold at a premium.
Authorities seized significant assets from the 34-year-old, including two houses, $120,370 in cash, and over 200 Apple devices. Court documents revealed that the fraud scheme encompassed more than 10,000 counterfeit iPhones and iPads.
The operation involved Zhiwei Liao and his brothers, Zhimin Liao and Zhiting Liao, who dispatched co-conspirators to numerous Apple Stores across the US and Canada. These individuals attempted to exchange counterfeit devices for genuine ones, exploiting warranties and identification numbers to pass off the fake products as legitimate.
The severity of the crime was underscored by the judge, who emphasized Zhiwei Liao’s role as the mastermind behind an extensive international criminal enterprise. The significant prison sentence reflects the gravity of the offense and the lasting impact on Apple and consumers.
FBI San Diego Special Agent in Charge Stacey Moy praised the investigation’s culmination, calling it a major success in dismantling an elaborate scheme to sell counterfeit goods globally. The FBI’s dedication, along with that of law enforcement partners, contributed to uncovering and prosecuting this sophisticated criminal operation.
Sources By Agencies
