Two Riverside County residents pleaded guilty to participating in a years-long scheme that used counterfeit Apple products to defraud the company of more than $16 million, the U.S. Department of Justice announced on Wednesday, Sept. 3.

Yushan Lin, 31, and Shuyi Xing, 35, both of Corona, were part of a group that smuggled fake iPhones, iPads and other devices from China and returned them at Apple stores across Southern California, federal prosecutors said. The counterfeits were made to look authentic, with serial numbers matching those of actual customers whose devices were covered under Apple warranties.

The returns took place at Apple stores in Beverly Hills, Sherman Oaks, Pasadena, Irvine, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Glendale and other cities, according to court documents. Conspirators

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