An alleged member of a Russian-based human smuggling network, Ibodullo Muhiddinov Numanovich, has been accused of using Apple AirTags to stalk his ex-wife, according to court documents and a recently unsealed federal indictment.
Federal prosecutors claim that Numanovich likely smuggled his ex-wife, identified as "S.K." in court records, into the U.S. through a Russian human smuggling network.
Indictment and Stalking Charges
Numanovich was indicted in May on one count of stalking. The indictment states he intended to injure, harass, intimidate, and place his ex-wife under surveillance. He allegedly sent threatening voicemails, monitored her movements, and caused her to fear for her life.
Between March and April, authorities accused Numanovich of putting seven AirtTags on S.K's vehicle, a 404 Media report says. Although she discovered the first one, investigators found six more hidden throughout the vehicle.
"Beginning shortly after their marriage, the Defendant began to physically and emotionally abuse S.K. and to record multiple sexually explicit videos of S.K. The Defendant threatened to release the images and videos if S.K. did not do as the Defendant demanded. At the time of their marriage, S.K. had recently arrived from Tajikistan, by way of Mexico, and did not have any other family or support in the United States," the court records state.
Related Article : AirTags Stalking Lawsuit Against Apple Expands With Over Three Dozen New Plaintiffs
FBI Sting Operations
After realizing that the alleged stalker only kept placing the trackers in S.K.'s car, the FBI utilized them in sting operations. These operations allowed them to observe Numanovich checking or placing new tags.
On one occasion, after the FBI disabled an AirTag, Numanovich followed S.K. to a carwash, banged on her windows, and demanded to know why she wasn't answering his calls.
The FBI deactivated an AirTag at a specific location in Philadelphia and later watched Numanovich arrive, exit his vehicle with his phone, and search for the AirTag.
Records from Apple linked Numanovich's account to the AirTags used in the stalking.
AirTags: Tool for Stalkers
Domestic abusers and stalkers have been using Apple AirTags since their launch in 2021. Police records indicate this is a growing problem, and the legal system has often failed to protect women targeted by AirTag stalkers.
Several instances of AirTag stalking have turned violent and, in at least two cases, resulted in the tracker murdering its target.
Researchers considered AirTags to be double-edged swords simply because they can be used as a tracking tool and an instrument of harassment.
Investigation Findings and Financial Resources
After Numanovich was indicted and a search warrant was executed, investigators discovered around 140 sexually explicit photographs and videos of S.K. on his phone.
The government's motion for pretrial detention highlighted Numanovich's access to substantial financial resources and his alleged involvement in a large-scale human smuggling network.
Bank records showed that in 2022, Numanovich's bank account transferred more than $2.3 million in just seven months. Another account conducted approximately $2.2 million in transactions over three months in 2023, and a third account showed around $74,000 in deposits and $64,872 in withdrawals in one month at the end of 2022.
Bank wire records indicated tens of thousands more in funds moving to and from Numanovich's accounts.
Legal Proceedings and Trial Date
Numanovich pleaded not guilty. The court decides that the jury trial will start on Saturday, June 8. At the time, Apple has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the case, per The Verge.
