Two Indian Nationals Convicted in $2 Million Cargo Theft Scheme in US
Los Angeles — Two Indian nationals have been convicted by a federal jury for their involvement in a cargo theft conspiracy that caused at least $2 million in losses by fraudulently obtaining shipping contracts and stealing high-value merchandise across the United States.
Arshpreet Singh, 28, of Sacramento, and Vikramjeet Singh, 31, of Fontana, were found guilty following a seven-day trial, according to the US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.
Both men were convicted of conspiracy to commit theft from interstate or foreign shipments. Arshpreet Singh was also convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, while Vikramjeet Singh was acquitted of that charge.
According to evidence presented at trial, Arshpreet Singh and his co-conspirators operated the scheme between March 2024 and June 2025 by purchasing legitimate trucking companies or fraudulently using their identities to secure freight transportation contracts.
After obtaining shipping contracts, the conspirators collected cargo from warehouses but failed to deliver it to its intended destinations, instead stealing the merchandise.
Prosecutors said the stolen shipments included televisions, laptops, household appliances, vacuum cleaners, LED lights, footwear, tires and other valuable consumer products.
The operation targeted warehouses and shipping facilities throughout Southern California, including Fontana, Vernon, Santa Fe Springs, Perris, City of Industry, Long Beach, Compton, Commerce, Pico Rivera, Chino and Moreno Valley. Investigators also identified related activity in Grand Prairie, Texas.
Trial evidence showed that the conspirators acquired established trucking businesses to carry out the thefts.
In March 2024, Arshpreet Singh agreed to purchase Texas-based Z&F Transportation LLC for approximately $22,000. Later that month, a co-conspirator operating under the company’s name collected a shipment of televisions in Fontana that was never delivered to its intended destination in Florida.
Prosecutors also presented evidence that the conspirators purchased Skyways Trucking LLC in May 2024 and subsequently used the company to steal shipments containing laptops, televisions, solar panels and other merchandise.
The group booked freight shipments through transportation brokers, including Uber Freight, before collecting the cargo and failing to complete the deliveries.
Authorities estimated that the conspiracy resulted in losses of at least $2 million.
US District Judge Anne Hwang has scheduled sentencing hearings for January 20, 2027. Arshpreet Singh faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, while Vikramjeet Singh faces up to five years.
The investigation involved the FBI’s Inland Violent Crime Suppression Task Force, IRS Criminal Investigation and several law enforcement agencies in California and Texas.
Assistant US Attorneys Stephen Chang of the Transnational Organized Crime Section and Lloyd Masson of the General Crimes Section are prosecuting the case. (Source: IANS)
