A long-running counterfeit Apple products operation has reached its conclusion, with the last two defendants now sentenced to prison. The scheme, carried out by a group of Chinese nationals over nine years, involved returning fake Apple hardware imported from China to Apple Stores across California.
Wenhui Huang, identified as the ringleader, received six years and six months in federal prison. Yang Song, described as the second-in-command, was given just under five years. The two men were also ordered to pay restitution of roughly £12 million and £12.5 million respectively. Both had pleaded guilty in 2025 and were the last of six defendants to be sentenced.
Robberies and thefts across Texas
A woman was robbed shortly after leaving an Apple Store in Houston. The 51-year-old had purchased a MacBook and other items at Memorial City Mall in late August and was loading her car when a suspect ran up and grabbed a bag. Surveillance footage captured the suspect entering a GMC vehicle, and licence-plate cameras later tracked it to a mobile phone repair shop. A traffic stop led to the arrest of two suspects, who were charged with robbery. The stolen items were recovered.
In nearby Sugar Land, Texas, three suspects were arrested for stealing almost £11,000 worth of iPads from a Target store. One of those detained was a minor. Store surveillance recorded the group breaking a display case, placing items into a bin bag and leaving. Police intercepted the suspects as they reached a car; one attempted to flee on foot but was caught. The individuals are suspected of involvement in additional thefts in the area.
FaceTime fraud and an AirTag rescue
Federal prosecutors have detailed how a man impersonating a San Francisco 49ers player allegedly used FaceTime calls and mobile apps to defraud women. According to the Justice Department, 35-year-old Daejon Labrayae Love met women on dating apps and used fictitious investments to swindle them, while 18-year-old Taylor Jamie Chan posed as his “financial advisor.” The pair reportedly staged three-way FaceTime calls to display bogus financial gains, and Love used phone applications to create fake bank and investment accounts and balances to lend credibility to the scheme.
The operation ran for four years until authorities arrested the two on 24 August. They were charged in federal court with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud.
In a separate case, a truck stolen in Tacoma, Washington, in August contained an unusual load of twenty cats. The vehicle also held an AirTag, whose signal helped lead authorities to the stolen truck and its feline cargo.
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Image: appleinsider.com
