Arif Ali Shah, Trafficking Counterfeit iPhone Components, Massachusetts 2023

Counterfeit iPhone Scandal Rocks Boston Neighborhood

Arif Ali Shah, a 66-year-old Chelsea man, has been charged with trafficking counterfeit Apple iPhone components at three retail locations in the Boston area.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston announced the charges today against Shah, who allegedly sold thousands of counterfeit Apple products bearing the company’s trademarks.

According to the indictment, Shah operated three retail locations – Nadia’s in Dorchester, East Boston Wireless in East Boston and Todo Wireless in Chelsea – where he sold and repaired iPhones using counterfeit components.

Shah allegedly purchased the counterfeit merchandise from both domestic and international suppliers. He knowingly sold and attempted to sell thousands of pieces of counterfeit merchandise despite being aware of their fake nature.

The trafficking statute under which Shah is charged provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $2 million. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less severe.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Harman Burkart is prosecuting the case, which was announced by Acting United States Attorney William Weinreb and Matthew Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston.

The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The charging document contains allegations, which may or may not be proven in court.

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