STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Three men from New York City, Rui Lin, Hong Liu, and Sheng Chen, are in custody in Stafford County after deputies discovered them with 96 iPads and several other Apple products, which police say were obtained through an elaborate retail fraud scheme.
According to the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office, two deputies were investigating a retail fraud case that spanned several states when they determined that the suspects were at a Target in the Aquia Harbor area of Stafford.
The investigation revealed that the suspects were purchasing expensive Apple products from various stores, replacing them with cheap replicas, and returning the items for gift cards or refunds.
Upon responding to the Target, deputies arrested one of the suspects after he attempted to complete a fraudulent transaction. The second suspect attempted to flee upon seeing the arrest but was quickly apprehended. The third suspect was arrested as he approached the group’s getaway car in the parking lot.
Following their arrests, deputies discovered a significant haul of items, including 96 iPads, 37 pairs of AirPods, four Series 9 Apple Watches, and nine Apple Watch Ultra 2s. Additionally, deputies found several counterfeit Apple products, comprising 87 pairs of AirPods, 49 Apple Watch bands, nine iPads, and 44 Series 9 Apple Watches.
The suspects have been charged with obtaining money by false pretenses, conspiracy, possession of stolen property with intent to sell, and possession of controlled substances. They are currently being held at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.