NEW YORK: Four foreign nationals were arraigned Wednesday on charges they provided unexpected competition for tech giants Apple and Sony — by smuggling counterfeit iPhones, iPads, iPods and camcorders from China into the U.S.
The four are part of a criminal scheme that smuggled thousands of electronic devices bearing counterfeit Apple and Sony trademarks into the country between 2009 and 2014, according to an April conspiracy and money laundering indictment filed in New Jersey federal court.
The alleged plotters planned to “enrich themselves” by purchasing the counterfeit goods at low prices in Hong Kong and the People’s Republic of China, and then reselling the devices in the U.S. “to unsuspecting customers who believed they were buying genuine Apple and Sony products,” the indictment charged.
The estimated retail value for an equivalent number of genuine items would have exceeded $15 million, the indictment charged.
Group members also allegedly structured cash deposits from the sale proceeds into U.S. bank accounts, spreading the money into multiple, small transactions to avoid bank reporting requirements. More than $1.1 million was eventually sent from the domestic banks to accounts the alleged conspirators controlled in Hong Kong and the People’s Republic of China, the indictment charged.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection investigators seized shipments of counterfeit devices linked to the alleged conspirators at least five times between July 2009 and August 2013, the indictment shows.
Homeland Security Investigations agents arrested the suspects last week in coordinated efforts in Los Angeles, Miami and Newark. The alleged co-conspirators include: Jianhua Li, 40, a Chinese resident of Guangzhou China; Rosario La Marca, 52, an Italian national who lived in her home country; Andreina Becerra, 30, a Venezuelan national residing in Miami; and Roberto Volpe, 33, an Italian national who also lived in Miami.
The four were arraigned before U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty in Newark. He continued release bonds of $200,000 each set last week for Li, Becerra and Volpe. La Marca was remanded without bail.
The case is among multiple efforts launched by the Department of Justice Task Force on Intellectual Property. The law enforcement group monitors and coordinates federal intellectual property enforcement efforts, with an increased focus on international involvement, including links to international organized crime.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security agents seized counterfeit goods valued at more than $1.7 billion at U.S. borders during fiscal year 2013.
