UPDATE: Baldwin County deputies say counterfeit Apple operation was ‘sophisticated’

UPDATE (4:43 pm) : A table full of headphones, air pods and Apple watches — almost 200 items that are now evidence in a multi-state counterfeit investigation that stretches from Baldwin County to China.

“They found a treasure of fake Apple products,” said Col. Anthony Lowery, chief deputy of the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office.

This all started with a traffic stop on I-65 for driving 40 miles an hour on the interstate while watching a YouTube video on a cell phone.

Vincent Tang and Chalvin Tan both from Malaysia are now charged with trafficking in stolen identities, theft of trade secrets and possession of a forgery device. “They would go in and purchase a real Apple product and then they would have the fake in the car,” said Lowery. “They would put the serial number and the fake IMEI number on the fake, return that back to Target and get credit for the phone.”

The refund money and the authentic Apple product would then be sent to China. “This is not a mom-and-pop operation,” said Lowery. “This is very sophisticated and very organized and obviously very profitable.”

The two had been staying, at least for a couple of days, at the Red Roof Inn in Bay Minette but investigators believe this operation stretches far beyond Baldwin County.

The Department of Homeland Security is also involved in the investigation that stretches from Louisiana to Florida with Target stores in Mobile, Pensacola and Gulf Shores the “target” of the counterfeit operation locally.

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BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. ( WKRG ) — Two people have been arrested after Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office deputies said they found over $50,000 worth of counterfeit Apple products.

According to officials, deputies stopped a car going too slow on I-65 and allegedly found items valued at over $50,000, including Airpods, watches, and headphones.

Deputies said the suspects, 36-year-old Vincent Jua Rona Tang and 24-year-old Chalvin Jia Hao Tan, were making money by buying real Apple products and using a laser engraver to put serial numbers on counterfeit items.

Officials said the men would return the counterfeit items to stores and get their money back. Then, the men allegedly shipped the authentic items overseas to be sold.

The men are accused of doing this at Target stores from Louisiana to Florida, including those in Mobile, Gulf Shores, and Pensacola.

The men are charged with trafficking stolen identities and theft of trademarks.

Tang is also charged with possession of a forgery device.

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