Leader of counterfeit Apple crime ring sentenced to more than four years

The head of an international gang behind return fraud of 10,000 counterfeit iPhones and iPads, has been sentenced to prison for 51 months.Apple UTC in San Deigo, whose local police force worked on the international caseSome 14 people were involved in the international organization, which ultimately defrauded Apple of at least $6 million. Two of the key figures, brothers Zhimin and Zhiting Liao (aka 'Jimmy' and 'Tim'), were sentenced in October 2023 to 41 months jail time.Now according to Justice.gov another brother, Zhiwei Liao (aka 'Allen'), was sentenced to 51 months as the organizer and leader of an international conspiracy. Alongside the four years and three months of his sentence, Liao was ordered by US District Judge Cynthia Ann Bashant, to surrender over 200 Apple devices, more than $120,000, and to forfeit two residencies. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums