NEW: 185 Indian employees, ranging from senior managers to entry-level executives, were let go from Apple in the Bay Area due to a scam.

Certain Telugu associations in the USA encouraged Telugu employees at Apple to contribute to their nonprofit groups. Under Apple’s corporate social responsibility initiative, the company matched employee donations made to these nonprofit organizations.

Investigations found that the donated funds were being returned to the employees.

Apple’s Finance Department noticed the irregularities and reported them to the IRS. The IRS uncovered the fraud, and Apple reportedly gave the employees involved a choice: resign or face termination.