Sign in Subscribe
Theft

Seven Defendants Charged in Organized Retail Theft Scheme

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

In a major crackdown on organized retail theft, seven defendants, including three Chinese nationals, have been charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit goods, and trafficking in counterfeit goods in connection with a brazen scheme to steal genuine brand-name consumer electronics products. The defendants allegedly stole iPad tablets and AirPods earphones from a major retailer and returned them with counterfeit versions, obtained the original purchase value back, and exported the genuine products to China. United States Attorney Craig Missakian and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Brannigan made the announcement.

Key Takeaways:

  • Seven defendants, including three Chinese nationals, have been charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit goods, and trafficking in counterfeit goods.
  • The defendants allegedly stole iPad tablets and AirPods earphones from a major retailer and returned them with counterfeit versions.
  • The counterfeit goods were imported from China and resealed with imitation stickers to make the return appear unopened.
  • The defendants exported the genuine products to China, allegedly to sell them at a profit.
  • The case was investigated and prosecuted by the Northern California Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) as part of Operation Take Back America.
  • The investigation involved a joint effort between HSI, the California Highway Patrol C.T.I.P. (Cargo Theft Interdiction Program) Taskforce, Federal Air Marshal Service, Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and FBI.

Statistics:

  • The defendants face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349 and mail fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1341.
  • They also face up to 10 years in prison and a $2,000,000 fine for each count of conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit goods in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2320(a) and trafficking in counterfeit goods in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2320(a)(1).
  • The case was investigated and prosecuted by the Northern California Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) as part of Operation Take Back America.

Sources:

  • "Seven Defendants Charged in Organized Retail Theft Scheme" published in the Office of United States Attorneys San Francisco on August 26, 2025.
  • Executive Order 14159, "Protecting the American People Against Invasion", issued by President Trump.
  • 18 U.S.C. § 1349, "Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud".
  • 18 U.S.C. § 1341, "Mail Fraud".
  • 18 U.S.C. § 2320(a), "Conspiracy to Traffic in Counterfeit Goods".
  • 18 U.S.C. § 2320(a)(1), "Trafficking in Counterfeit Goods".

Read more