iPad at the Center of a $3 Million Cryptocurrency Heist
In a chilling 2022 incident in San Francisco, a masked intruder orchestrated a home invasion targeting Yuchen Cassandra Shi, aiming to steal her cryptocurrency assets. The assailant, armed with a knife, restrained Shi using zip ties and communicated his demands through an iPad, compelling her to transfer approximately $3 million worth of cryptocurrency. This method of theft, known as a wrench attack, involves physical coercion rather than digital hacking to access crypto assets.
The subsequent investigation spanned multiple years and involved various agencies across international borders. The probe culminated in the arrest of Shi’s personal assistant, who has since denied any involvement in the crime. The defense attorney for the accused has portrayed Shi as a jilted lover, a claim Shi refutes, maintaining that their relationship was strictly professional.
Ex-UPS Employees Indicted for $113,000 Apple Product Theft
In Louisville, Kentucky, three former UPS employees faced indictment after allegedly stealing Apple products valued at $113,000 shortly after the Christmas season. The stolen items included iPhones, AirPods, and charging cables. The suspects were apprehended following an internal investigation that revealed the thefts. UPS has since terminated their employment, and a fourth individual connected to the thefts was also arrested. All parties involved have been charged with complicity in organized crime.
Duo Arrested for Repeated Thefts at New Jersey Apple Store
Two women were arrested for allegedly stealing iPhones from the Apple Store located in Willowbrook Mall, Wayne, New Jersey, on two separate occasions in January. Authorities suspect the pair’s involvement in numerous other thefts across the state. Both women have been charged with second-degree shoplifting as part of an organized retail theft operation and are currently held at the Passaic County Jail Intake Hub. Two male accomplices remain at large, with investigations ongoing.
FBI Seizes Apple Devices from Journalist Amid Investigation
In early January, the FBI conducted a search at the residence of Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson, seizing several electronic devices, including an iPhone and two MacBook Pro laptops. The seizure is linked to an investigation into a government contractor accused of retaining classified materials. A federal judge has since ruled that the FBI cannot examine the devices until a thorough review of the case is conducted. This action marks a rare instance of the government seizing a journalist’s equipment in a national security leak investigation.
Florida Drug Deal Leads to Armed Robbery and Arrests
In Florida, a man reported to deputies that during a drug transaction, his girlfriend’s iPhone and a quantity of marijuana were stolen at gunpoint. The alleged buyer, accompanied by two masked individuals, brandished a firearm, assaulted the girlfriend, and fled with the stolen items. The primary suspect was charged with armed robbery, while his girlfriend faced charges of obstructing law enforcement and accessory to armed robbery. A juvenile accomplice was also charged with robbery with a firearm and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. The investigation led to the recovery of the stolen iPhone, two firearms, multiple magazines, and over 120 rounds of ammunition.
Former Reality TV Star Accused of Stealing Sister’s iPhone
Venus Behbahani-Clark, a former cast member of The Real Housewives of Melbourne, was arrested for allegedly stealing her sister Rebekah Behbahani’s iPhone. The theft is part of a broader, complex feud among several Australian celebrities. Authorities seized multiple devices during a raid on Behbahani-Clark’s residence, investigating how explicit photos of a celebrity were disseminated online. Behbahani-Clark had previously identified herself as a suspect in the case.
AirPods Signal Leads to Burglar’s Arrest in Illinois
In Alton, Illinois, a man broke into a residence, stealing AirPods along with other valuables. Utilizing the signal from the stolen AirPods, police tracked the suspect to an apartment complex where they recovered the stolen items and burglary tools. The man, with a prior conviction for attempted burglary, was charged with residential burglary, possession of burglary tools, and multiple counts of theft.
Data Thief Disposes of MacBook Air in River, Company Reports
South Korean technology company Coupang Corp. announced a significant customer compensation plan following a data breach. An internal investigation revealed that an employee had stolen a security key, accessing consumer records using a PC and a MacBook Air. In an attempt to destroy evidence, the perpetrator smashed the MacBook Air, placed it in a bag with bricks, and threw it into a river. However, investigators retrieved the device, identified its serial number, and linked it to the accused’s iCloud account.
Stolen iPhone Leads to Discovery of Stash in the Philippines
In Cebu City, Philippines, a stolen iPhone led police to a cache of 154 high-end mobile phones, predominantly iPhones, and the arrest of two suspects. The discovery was made behind a facade of a legitimate cellphone repair shop, where rooms were allegedly used to buy, reprogram, and resell stolen iPhones. Victims tracking their stolen devices via the Find My iPhone feature pinpointed the location, leading to the raid. Authorities believe the operation had been running for months, with operators possessing technical expertise to bypass Apple security measures.
Counterfeit Apple Device Trafficking Scheme Costs Apple Over $6 Million
An international crime ring led by Zhiwei Allen Liao orchestrated a scheme involving counterfeit iPhones and iPads, resulting in losses exceeding $6 million for Apple. The operation involved acquiring counterfeit devices in China, damaging them intentionally, and presenting them to Apple for replacement under warranty policies. The counterfeit devices bore serial numbers matching genuine Apple products, allowing them to pass initial inspections. The genuine replacements were then shipped to China for resale. The scheme, running for eight years, led to the conviction of multiple individuals, including Liao, who was sentenced to 51 months in prison and ordered to forfeit assets, including over 200 Apple devices and more than $120,000.
Twins Sentenced for $2.2 Million AT&T Apple Hardware Fraud
Twin brothers Luis and Jorge Hernandez Socarras from Miami were sentenced to over four years in prison after pleading guilty to using identity theft to purchase Apple devices charged to AT&T customer accounts. Between March 2019 and January 2020, they accessed approximately 2,366 AT&T customer accounts, purchasing millions of dollars worth of iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches. The brothers traveled across 26 states to collect the fraudulently ordered devices, which they then sold. The total estimated value of the fraud was $2,155,483.78. The FBI’s investigation led to the recovery of a stash containing multiple Apple devices, a firearm, and other electronics. The brothers were also ordered to pay $360,937 in restitution.
$1.5 Million in iPad Minis Stolen from JFK Airport in ‘GoodFellas’ Style Heist
In a heist reminiscent of the infamous 1978 Lufthansa robbery, thieves stole approximately $1.5 million worth of iPad minis from a cargo building at New York’s JFK Airport. The building was the same site of the 1978 heist, which was dramatized in the film GoodFellas. The thieves used an airport forklift to load two pallets of iPad minis onto a truck. Their operation was interrupted by an airport worker, causing them to leave three pallets behind. The use of official equipment has led to speculation about insider involvement. The stolen iPad minis had just arrived from China and were intended for distribution.
iPad Used for Unauthorized Walt Disney World Tours
A man was caught trespassing at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando after using a stolen iPad to conduct unauthorized tours. Disney employees discovered that the iPad had been used to override reservations on an internal app, allowing the man to skip ride lines. The individual was apprehended when a Disney investigator observed him leading an unauthorized tour group into a ride line. The incident highlights the potential misuse of technology to exploit systems designed for guest convenience.
AirDrop Prank Leads to Plane Evacuation
An AirDrop prank led to the evacuation of a plane after a passenger sent a threatening image to fellow travelers. The incident underscores the potential misuse of Apple’s AirDrop feature, which allows users to share files with nearby devices. Authorities took the threat seriously, leading to the evacuation and thorough inspection of the aircraft. The individual responsible was identified and faced legal consequences for the disruption caused.
AppleCare Scam Defrauds Couple of $3,000
A couple in Cleveland seeking tech support for their MacBook computers fell victim to a scam after contacting a fake AppleCare number found online. The fraudulent support led them to pay $3,000 through various payment methods before realizing the deception. The incident serves as a cautionary tale about verifying the authenticity of customer support contacts and being wary of unsolicited payment requests.
NBA Star Shawn Kemp Pleads Guilty in iPhone-Related Shooting
Retired NBA star Shawn Kemp agreed to a plea bargain, pleading guilty to second-degree assault in connection with a March 2023 shooting in Tacoma, Washington. The incident was reportedly related to a dispute over a stolen iPhone. Kemp’s involvement in the shooting led to legal proceedings, culminating in the plea agreement. The case highlights the potential for violent confrontations arising from disputes over valuable personal electronics.
