Cheated By Former Employee, Apple Loses IDR 143 Billion

JAKARTA - Apple is alleged to have been scammed by a former employee of more than 10 million US dollars or approximately IDR 143 billion. The losses include accepting bribes, stealing equipment, and laundering money. Now, the employee has been charged.

An employee named Dhirendra Prasad (52) has been working for 10 years as a buyer (acquisition) in Apple's Global Services Supply Chain department.

Prasad is accused of using his supply chain buyer position to gain access to receive bribes. Once he gains access, then he will make Apple pay for goods and services that are not delivered.

According to a report by the US Attorney's office in San Jose, courts have allowed the federal government to seize five real estate properties and financial accounts worth about $5 million from Prasad. Now the government is trying to keep these assets as proceeds of crime.

This week, Prasad is due to appear in court to answer charges of involvement in a conspiracy to commit fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion. For all of these cases, Prasad could be sentenced to a maximum of five to 20 years in prison.

Quoted from NBC News, Monday, March 21, Prasad is not the only person linked to the alleged fraud case that cost Apple.

Currently, two owners of a vendor company that does business with Apple have also admitted to conspiring with Prasad to commit fraud and money laundering.

The two owners of companies linked to Prasad have been charged in different federal cases. The case against Prasad, however, will be processed first.