Dhidrenda Prasad, a former Apple employee, was sentenced this week to three years in prison and ordered to pay over $17 million in restitution to Apple. In November, Prasad pled guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud and conspiracy to defraud the United States after stealing millions from Apple.

Kickbacks, inflated invoices, and stolen parts

Between 2008 and 2018, Prasad was part of Apple’s Global Service Supply Chain department, responsible for purchasing parts and services from vendors for servicing older devices. In 2011, he began accepting kickbacks, inflating invoices, and stealing parts, leading Apple to pay for components and services it never received.

Prasad collaborated with two vendors to defraud Apple. His schemes involved directing illicit payments from vendors to his creditors, deceiving Apple into paying for components twice, and stealing components bought by Apple, only to resell them to the company through his co-conspirators. In total, he was found guilty of stealing $17 million through mail and wire fraud.

Asset forfeiture and additional payments

Prasad’s actions have left a significant impact on the company he once worked for. The former Apple employee’s elaborate schemes not only caused financial losses, but also potentially damaged Apple’s reputation and trust in its internal processes. The case serves as a stark reminder for corporations like Apple to implement stringent measures to prevent such fraudulent activities from happening in the future.

The sentencing of Prasad highlights the importance of corporate vigilance in identifying and addressing internal fraud. Apple, as well as other tech giants, must continue to invest in robust security measures, audits, and internal controls to detect and prevent such fraudulent activities. The case also underscores the need for cooperation between companies and law enforcement agencies to bring those responsible for financial crimes to justice. As the tech industry grows and evolves, businesses must remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding their assets and reputation against unscrupulous individuals who seek to exploit the system for personal gain.

Following his three-year prison sentence, Prasad will undergo another three years of supervised release.