A San Francisco resident, identified as Noah Roskin-Frazee, is facing serious charges for allegedly defrauding Apple, the tech giant, of approximately $2.5 million in gift cards and electronic products. The charges stem from an indictment filed in December 2023 by the US Attorney’s Office in San Francisco, accusing Roskin-Frazee and a co-defendant of a litany of offenses, including fraud and intentionally damaging a protected computer system.
Acknowledgment in Apple’s Security Update
Roskin-Frazee’s name unexpectedly surfaced in a routine security update issued by Apple on January 22. This update followed closely on the heels of his arrest. The revelation was first brought to light by CourtWatch and 404 Media, who reported on Roskin-Frazee’s unsealed indictment. Although the precise reason for his acknowledgment in the Apple update remains shrouded in mystery, speculation abounds that Roskin-Frazee, purportedly a security researcher, may have previously brought security vulnerabilities or concerns to Apple’s attention.
Alleged Scheme and Criminal Charges
According to the indictment, Roskin-Frazee and his alleged accomplice allegedly orchestrated a sophisticated scheme involving the unauthorized access of an Apple employee’s account. The modus operandi purportedly entailed exploiting a password reset function to gain illicit entry and manipulate orders for gift cards and electronic devices. These manipulations allegedly ranged from adjusting orders to incur no cost to diverting gift cards to fictitious addresses for subsequent resale on the black market.
Monetary Gain and Legal Proceedings
The indictment outlines that the fraudulent activities purportedly yielded the defendants approximately $2.5 million in ill-gotten gains, comprising products, services, and gift cards. While Apple is not explicitly named in the indictment, several details, such as references to the company’s Cupertino headquarters and its involvement in computer software and consumer electronics, suggest a connection to the tech giant.
Legal Response and Ongoing Inquiries
As of now, Roskin-Frazee’s legal counsel has refrained from commenting on the allegations. Additionally, requests for clarification from Apple regarding Roskin-Frazee’s acknowledgment in their security update have remained unanswered. As the legal proceedings continue to unfold, it is anticipated that additional details will emerge concerning the full extent of the alleged fraud and its ramifications for all parties involved.
