Police Seize Fake iPhones, iPods, Worth Millions

LOS ANGELES (KTLA) -- Two brothers were arrested in a massive bust involving more than $10 million worth of stolen and counterfeit products, including iPhones and iPods, that came through the Port of Los Angeles.

45-year-old Bahram Zahab, of Los Angeles and his brother, 40-year-old Edward Zahab are accused of running the operation. Both face felony charges related to the counterfeit goods.

The pair was arrested after officials from multiple agencies, including the Port of L.A. Police and the Department of Homeland Security, discovered the lookalike Apple, Inc. products at several warehouses in downtown Los Angeles.

The fake iPhones and iPods have an estimated street value of $1.4 million. In addition, authorities confiscated $2.5 million in stolen electronics, toys and blankets, and, bank account receipts show the illegal operation generated more than $7 million in profits.

Investigators say the fakes were shipped from Asia and arrived as parts meant to be reassembled, before being sold at discounted prices.

According to police, the iPhones and iPods looked so authentic, that a buyer might not have realized anything was wrong with it until he or she got home and tried to hook the product up to iTunes.

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-iphone-ipods-confiscated,0,251131.story?track=rss