A former Apple Store employee in Hong Kong has been sentenced to 13 months in prison for stealing iPhones from the Causeway Bay store. The man, who managed iPhone inventory, admitted to taking 44 devices over a three-month period in 2020.
The theft came to light when a supervisor noticed several missing iPhones. Security footage later revealed the employee’s involvement, leading to his arrest and dismissal in early 2021.
Scheme and Consequences
The man confessed to selling the stolen iPhones at the Mong Kok night market, a popular shopping district known for electronics. He later attempted to make a bank transfer in the value of the stolen goods.
In addition to the 13-month sentence, the court ordered him to pay HK$32,000 (about $4,100) in restitution to Apple.
Wider Apple-Related Crimes
The case comes amid a string of Apple-related crimes worldwide. In Southern California, two suspects were arrested for using QR codes purchased through Telegram to steal MacBooks. Customers often arrived at Apple Stores only to find their orders had already been fraudulently claimed.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Justice reported guilty pleas from six Chinese nationals involved in a large-scale iPhone return fraud scheme. The operation defrauded Apple of more than $16 million.
Broader Pattern
These cases highlight the global scope of Apple-related theft and fraud. From Hong Kong’s retail stores to U.S. supply chains, criminals continue to target Apple’s high-demand products. While Apple has strict inventory checks and advanced tracking systems, these incidents show that employees and organized rings still exploit vulnerabilities.
For consumers, the lesson is caution: whether buying from marketplaces or handling returns, scams are on the rise. For Apple, the challenge remains securing its ecosystem against increasingly inventive schemes.
