In total, the defendants fraudulently returned over 16,000 counterfeit devices, resulting in at least $12.3 million in losses for Apple, according to the DOJ.
If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison for each of the conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, wire fraud, and mail fraud charges, two years mandatory minimum for the aggravated identity theft charge, and up to 10 years for the conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit goods charge.
Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Counsel information for the defendants was not immediately available.
The federal government is represented by Andrew M. Roach of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.
