How six former employees manipulated Apple’s charity program and stole more than $152,000? know this

Santa Clara County prosecutors have charged six former employees of tech giant Apple of defrauding the company’s gift-matching program for charitable donations, obtaining about $152,000. $1,28,00,000.

The six former employees are Siu Kei (Alex) Kwan, 37, of Castro Valley, Yathei (Hayson) Yuen, 34, of San Jose, and Yat C (Sunny) Ng, 35, of Milpitas. , Wentao (Victor) Li, 38, of Hayward, Chao Ni, 39, of Sunnyvale, and Chang Zheng, 31, of Union City, Sunnyvale. The defendants allegedly manipulated charitable donations, according to a statement from the Santa Clara County District Attorney.

The case occurred between 2018 and 2021, and they were charged with multiple felonies such as larceny, conspiracy to commit felony theft, perjury and tax fraud. Employees also face an increase in white-collar crime due to the huge sums involved.

How did the fraud occur?

Apple employees will donate through the third-party platform Benevity. Donations are matched 100% or 200% by Apple and Benevity uses the funds for charity.

Mr. Kwan, a certified public accountant, used his position as a certified public accountant to use the donations to reimburse employees and keep the funds for himself, in violation of Apple’s charitable matching policy.

The employee will claim a tax deduction on this amount. Customs would create fraudulent tax returns and increase participation by offering free or discounted tax services.

Guan allegedly directed the fraud, directing five other defendants to donate to two charities, the American Center for International Chinese Cultural Exchange (ACICE) and Hop4Kids. Kwan – CEO of Hop4Kids and ACICE Accountant.

Led by Guan, the other five defendants pretended to make donations to the American Chinese Center for International Cultural Exchange (ACICE) or Hop4Kids. The donation was returned to them, and Mr. Kwan used it to continue matching Apple funds. On your tax return, the donation amount is written as a “charitable donation.”

“This case underscores our unwavering commitment to vigorously prosecuting individuals who defraud the technology community and misuse important charitable programs and state resources,” District Attorney Jeff Rosen said in a statement.

“We commend Apple for coming forward and working proactively with our office to expose this elaborate fraud.”