Authorities Charge 6 in Chicago Apple Store Traveling Fraud Scheme - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Authorities Charge 6 in Chicago Apple Store Traveling Fraud Scheme

by

Six people from New York have been charged with allegedly attempting fraudulent transactions at the Deer Park Apple Store near Chicago, according to the Chicago Tribune. Lake County authorities tell the paper that the scheme is an "organized criminal enterprise."

deerparkapplestore
Last week, authorities learned that the scheme was being attempted at various Apple Stores in the Chicago area. The suspects were using stolen identities and credit card numbers throughout the country to make purchases, according to police.

Christopher Covelli, a spokesman for the sheriff's office, told the Chicago Tribune that the suspects would fly into O'Hare International Airport, rent a car, and immediately head to local Apple Stores to attempt the enterprise. Authorities began increasing patrols and surveillance around the Deer Park store after another store in Schaumburg was targeted. Between Wednesday and Sunday, six people attempted the scheme at the store. Police recovered $10,000 worth of stolen Apple products from the alleged suspects.

Covelli said the traveling scheme is not common with out-of-state individuals.

Top Rated Comments

127 months ago
Link this charge with previous torrent site KAT being taken down, all Apple protects is the profit alone, and nothing more.
The only matter business care is money.
What else does Apple have to protect? It's called Loss Prevention and preventing loss with cooperating with Law Enforcement to assist in stopping those criminals involved. This was a great stop and believe me, their are more than six individuals involved, there are always more. These criminals would have continued their behavior until they were caught, as they have Nothing to lose.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
127 months ago
Will they ever implement Apple Pay? I don't think it's active in store…
It most certainly is active; I've used it a few times in Apple Stores now.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
127 months ago
So they got maybe max 5 MacBooks (pros, airs etc.(assuming varying configurations, not all highest priced)), 7-8 iPads depending on model or config. Or 7-12 iPhones Or a little of everything... For an "enterprise" specializing in theft, this kind of seems to be on the lean side for what they were targeting. Nice to hear they were caught though "coughs" "erm charged"
Being they were caught early on and not later, this would have continued to until they hit as many Apple Stores as possible. $10,000 is not much in terms of hardware, which easily could have approached $100,000 if they were not Apprehended. Not to mention the lives ruined with stolen identity, which is another level by itself. These are career criminals.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
127 months ago
It's a pity that humanity will never find the cure for being young and foolish.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
first535353 Avatar
127 months ago
Six people from New York have been charged with allegedly attempting fraudulent transactions at the Deer Park Apple Store near Chicago, according ('http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/news/ct-lns-lake-county-apple-arrests-0726-20160725-story.html') to the Chicago Tribune. Lake County authorities tell the paper that the scheme is an "organized criminal enterprise."



Last week, authorities learned that the scheme was being attempted at various Apple Stores in the Chicago area. The suspects were using stolen identities and credit card numbers throughout the country to make purchases, according to police.

Christopher Covelli, a spokesman for the sheriff's office, told the Chicago Tribune that the suspects would fly into O'Hare International Airport, rent a car, and immediately head to local Apple Stores to attempt the enterprise. Authorities began increasing patrols and surveillance around the Deer Park store after another store in Schaumburg was targeted. Between Wednesday and Sunday, six people attempted the scheme at the store. Police recovered $10,000 worth of stolen Apple products from the alleged suspects.

Covelli said the traveling scheme is not common with out-of-state individuals.

Article Link: Authorities Charge 6 in Chicago Apple Store Traveling Fraud Scheme ('https://www.macrumors.com/2016/07/25/fraud-scheme-chicago-apple-store/')
OMG I LIVE 7 MINUTES FROM DEER PARK IL!!
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
radiology Avatar
127 months ago
i bet they would not have been caught if they were using those blue jackets that was featured on a recent MR article, which can carry all apple products at once.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

AirPods Max 2 Lifestyle Shot

AirPods Max 2 Now Available at Apple Stores

Wednesday April 1, 2026 8:43 am PDT by
Starting today, the AirPods Max 2 are available for purchase at many Apple Store locations around the world, and deliveries to customers have also begun. Apple's website shows same-day pickup availability at many Apple Stores in the U.S. and abroad. AirPods Max 2 are equipped with the H2 chip that debuted in the AirPods Pro 2. Compared to the previous generation, the new AirPods Max...
Apple Passeig de Gracia

Apple's Impressive Barcelona Store Reopens Next Month

Monday April 6, 2026 9:46 am PDT by
Apple's beautiful Passeig de Gràcia store in the heart of Barcelona, Spain has been temporarily closed for renovations since mid-February, but the location is finally set to reopen next month. The store will resume business on May 26, according to Apple's website. Apple Passeig de Gràcia Apple Passeig de Gràcia first opened in 2012, and it is one of the company's flagship retail locations....
Apple Victoria Gardens 2

Two Apple Stores in U.S. and Australia Will Soon Be Temporarily Closed

Wednesday April 8, 2026 2:56 pm PDT by
Apple Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga, California will be temporarily closed for renovations starting the evening of Saturday, April 11. Apple Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga, California The store will reopen in the fall, according to a notice on Apple's website spotted by MacRumors reader Kate. No specific date was provided, but Apple will likely aim to resume business ahead of...