What started as a routine traffic stop in New York City wound up revealing a heist of over $20,000 in Apple products.
The Wall Street Cheat Sheet reports that New York Police recently discovered the Apple products when they pulled a car over for running a red light. The suspects ended up having their car searched after they accidentally revealed a loaded handgun to officers when reaching for their paperwork in the glove compartment.
Once the police searched the vehicle they found 17 iPad Airs, 11 iPod Touches and 14 iPad minis. Receipts revealed that the items were all purchased with Target gift cards. Further investigation revealed that those Target gift cards had been purchased with fraudulent credit cards.
The source of the fraudulent credit cards is still unknown however the NYPD’s Financial Crimes Unit is investigating any possible links between the credit cards used to purchase those gift cards and the recent data breach at Target Stores which may have affected up to 40 million Target customers. That data heist has been reported as the largest retail credit card data heist in history, topping a 2007 breach affecting TJX Brands’ stores; TJ Maxx, Home Goods and Marshalls.
There may be no way to tell if this Apple heist is related to the data breach at Target. The thieves behind the data breach are selling the credit card and debit card information they obtained on anonymous black markets.
As to the data breach itself, Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel said: “Target’s first priority is preserving the trust of our guests and we have moved swiftly to address this issue, so guests can shop with confidence. We regret any inconvenience this may cause,” and continued “We take this matter very seriously and are working with law enforcement to bring those responsible to justice.”
