International Trafficker of Counterfeit Apple Products Sentenced to Prison

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – March 25, 2024

SAN DIEGO – Zhiwei “Allen” Liao was sentenced in federal court today to 51 months in prison for his role as an organizer and leader of an international conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit Apple products. The defendant was also ordered to forfeit two residences along with $120,370 in U.S. currency and more than 200 Apple devices seized during the investigation.

According to court documents, Zhiwei Liao and his brothers, Zhimin Liao and Zhiting Liao, led an international exchange fraud scheme involving more than 10,000 counterfeit iPhones and iPads. The Liaos imported counterfeit iPhones and iPads from China that looked genuine and included identification numbers (IMEI and serial numbers) matching identification numbers on real iPhones and iPads that were under warranty and had been previously sold to customers in the United States and Canada.  At the direction of the Liao brothers, co-conspirators traveled to hundreds of Apple Stores across the United States and Canada, and attempted to exchange counterfeit iPhones and iPads for genuine iPhones and iPads resulting in a loss of $6.1 million to Apple, Inc. Zhiwei Liao then sent the fraudulently obtained, but genuine Apple products primarily to China where they were sold at a premium.       

In court today, U.S. District Judge Cynthia Ann Bashant said that a significant prison sentence was appropriate because Zhiwei Liao was the organizer and leader of an extensive international criminal organization that trafficked in counterfeit goods throughout North America for several years.

The scheme was sophisticated and dynamic, involving counterfeit devices imported from China that looked like genuine devices under warranty. Zhiwei Liao micromanaged the operations and created a moving target for law enforcement by directing counterfeit Apple products and criminal proceeds to be sent to different co-conspirators, companies, and family members throughout the scheme. Co-conspirators supported these efforts to avoid law enforcement by exchanging the counterfeit products using a variety of false names and email accounts.

The defendant’s brothers, Zhimin Liao and Zhiting Liao, who were also leaders of the conspiracy, were previously sentenced to 41 months in custody in October 2023. 

This case is part of a multi-year investigation led primarily by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the San Diego Police Department that resulted in 12 felony convictions, the forfeiture of five residences in San Diego with an estimated value of more than $4.1 million, over $250,000 in cash, and more than 200 Apple products that were either counterfeit, fraudulently obtained, or used during the criminal operations.

“This was a massive, sophisticated fraud that victimized not only Apple, Inc., but thousands of Apple product owners across North America,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “Theft of intellectual property and the sale of counterfeit goods are growing global problems with serious economic implications.” 

“Mr. Liao’s sentencing closes a major chapter in a multi-year investigation that exposed an international, elaborate scheme to sell counterfeit goods worldwide,” said FBI San Diego Special Agent in Charge Stacey Moy. “This investigation would not have been successful without the unwavering dedication and persistence of our law enforcement partners. We remain diligent in the pursuit of justice to help maintain the integrity of our economy.”

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy F. Salel.

DEFENDANTS                                 Case Number 19cr4407-BAS                                               

Zhiwei Liao, aka “Allen”                   San Diego, CA                                    Age:    34

Zhimin Liao, aka “Jimmy”                 San Diego, CA                                    Age:    36

Zhiting Liao, aka “Tim”                     San Diego, CA                                    Age:    33

Dao Trieu La, aka “Selena”                San Diego, CA                                    Age:    32

Mengmeng Zhang, aka “Aria”           San Diego, CA                                    Age:    31

Tam Nguyen, aka “Kelly,”                 San Diego, CA                                    Age:    39

Charley Hsu                                        San Diego, CA                                    Age:    41

Danny Tran Chan                               San Diego, CA                                    Age:    32

Phillip Pak, aka “Teddy”                    San Diego, CA                                    Age:    33

Deedee Zhu, aka “David,”                  San Diego, CA                                    Age:    35

Jiaye Jiang, aka “joejoekong”            San Diego, CA                                    Age:    34

Hyo Yang, aka “Will”                        San Diego, CA                                    Age:    33

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Conspiracy to Traffic in Counterfeit Goods – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 2320

Maximum penalty: Ten years in prison, $2 million fine, mandatory restitution, and forfeiture.

INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

Federal Bureau of Investigation

San Diego Police Department

San Diego County Sheriff’s Department

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Homeland Security Investigations

U.S. Marshals