Source: iMore
What you need to know
- Counterfeit AirPods and Lightning cables have been seized on their way into the United States.
- The shipments originated in Hong Kong.
- The 120 fake Apple accessories were part of a larger haul.
Apple has always been a target for counterfeit products with people keen to save some money on picking up the real deal. AirPods and Lightning cables are prime targets but Pittsburgh Customs and Border Protection officers seized 120 of them on their way into the United States.
The accessories were part of a larger shipment of fake electronics that originated in Hong Kong. The total value? Around $112,000 according to a report.
Officers seized over 4,700 streaming system remote controllers — 4,212 fake Roku remotes and 500 fake Hisense remotes — along with 120 items resembling AirPods and lightning charging cables. The items arrived from Hong Kong in nine shipments between April 27 and May 4 and were destined for addresses in Butler County.
While cheaper than "real" products, counterfeit electronics come with all manner of problems – not least the fact that they aren't held to the same safety standards and ratings as official products. I'd always suggest using a legitimate Lightning cable in particular – of one sold by a reputable brand – if only to avoid one bursting into flames one night.
It's, unfortunately, something that's happened far too many times and to too many people already.

Gorgeous new Pride Apple Watch bands are now available at some Apple Stores
Apple's latest Pride Apple Watch bands are now available to buy in some Apple Stores, although whether you can walk into a store and pick one up yourself will very much depend on where you happen to be.

Rare Steve Jobs check for $9.18 goes under the hammer, could fetch $25k
A rare check signed by Steve Jobs dated July 23, 1976, has just gone up for auction and could be worth a lot more than it was originally written out for...

Apple store workers get surprise pay rise as union pressure grows
Apple plans to give U.S. workers a pay rise in the face of growing pressure from unions that are emerging in some retail locations.

Track your sleep to see your night habits and develop better resting tools
Getting proper sleep these days can be hard, but a good sleep tracker can potentially help fix the problem. Tracking your sleep can give you valuable data on how long and well you slept, as well as insight into how you can ultimately get better rest. Here are the best ones.