2 Indians convicted in $2m theft of TVs, laptops, solar panels via trucking firms
Televisions, laptops, appliances and solar panels were among more than USD 2 million worth of goods stolen after two Indian nationals used legitimate trucking companies to steal cargo across Southern California and Texas.
According to the US Attorney's Office for the Central District of California, Arshpreet Singh, 28, of Sacramento, and Vikramjeet Singh, 31, of Fontana, were convicted after a seven-day trial over a scheme in which established trucking companies were bought or fraudulently used to secure genuine shipping contracts. The defendants would then collect the cargo but never deliver it to the designated destinations.
The case centred on a method that allowed the group to make the thefts look like legitimate freight deliveries. Once a trucking company won a shipping contract, drivers could collect the goods from warehouses before the cargo disappeared instead of reaching its intended destination.TRUCKING COMPANIES USED TO TARGET CARGO
According to evidence presented at trial, the conspiracy operated from March 2024 to June 2025. The stolen goods included televisions, laptops, appliances and other expensive consumer products.
The group also stole vacuums, LED lights, shoes and tyres. Prosecutors estimate the total loss from the scheme at at least USD 2 million.
The thefts were reported across several locations in Southern California, including Fontana, Vernon, Santa Fe Springs, Perris, City of Industry, Long Beach, Compton, Commerce, Pico Rivera, Chino and Moreno Valley. Investigators also linked the conspiracy to a cargo theft in Grand Prairie, Texas.
Prosecutors said the defendants went beyond simply using trucking companies temporarily. They purchased established carriers and then used their identities and legitimate business operations to obtain freight.$22,000 TRUCKING COMPANY LINKED TO TV THEFT
One example presented in court involved Z&F Transportation LLC, a carrier based in Texas.
In March 2024, Arshpreet Singh met the company's owner and agreed to purchase it for about USD 22,000, according to evidence presented during the trial. Later that month, a co-conspirator acting for Z&F Transportation picked up a shipment of televisions in Fontana.
The televisions were supposed to be delivered to Florida. Instead, prosecutors said, the shipment was never delivered.
Another trucking company, Skyways Trucking LLC, was acquired by co-conspirators in May 2024. The company was subsequently used to book and collect shipments that were never delivered. The group obtained loads through freight brokers, including Uber Freight. After collecting shipments such as laptops, televisions and solar panels, the cargo was allegedly diverted rather than transported to its contracted destination.ARSHPREET SINGH FACES UP TO 20 YEARS
The jury found both men guilty of conspiring to steal cargo from interstate or foreign shipments. Arshpreet Singh was also convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Vikramjeet Singh, however, was acquitted of the separate wire fraud conspiracy charge.
The case was investigated by a multi-agency team that included the FBI's Inland Violent Crime Suppression Task Force, IRS Criminal Investigation, Fontana Police Department, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, Riverside County Sheriff's Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and Fort Worth Police Department.
The convictions do not amount to immediate prison sentences. US District Judge Anne Hwang has scheduled sentencing for January 20, 2027.
Arshpreet Singh faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, while Vikramjeet Singh faces a statutory maximum of five years, according to prosecutors.- Ends
Rohit Sharma is an award-winning journalist residing in Washington DC. Β His expertise and insightful pieces are regularly showcased on esteemed news channels and news websites.
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