California Cargo Thieves Get Less Than They Bargained For
Two Southern California men were convicted by a federal jury for their roles in a cargo theft scheme that prosecutors said used legitimate trucking companies to obtain shipping contracts and steal more than $2 million in freight from warehouses.
Legitimate Carriers Used to Obtain Loads
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, Arshpreet Singh, 28, of Sacramento, and Vikramjeet Singh, 31, of Fontana, were found guilty following a seven-day trial.
Evidence presented in court showed that, between March 2024 and June 2025, Singh and his co-conspirators allegedly purchased legitimate trucking companies or fraudulently used existing carriers to bid on authentic shipping contracts.
After securing transportation jobs, the participants collected merchandise from warehouses but did not complete the deliveries. Prosecutors said the stolen freight included electronics, appliances and other goods valued at more than $2 million.
Warehouses Across Southern California Targeted
The alleged thefts involved logistics hubs and warehouses in several Inland Empire communities, including Chino, Fontana, Perris and Moreno Valley, as well as other locations across Southern California.
The case highlights how cargo theft groups can exploit legitimate transportation operations and shipping documentation to obtain loads. Authorities and industry groups have increasingly identified carrier identity fraud and other deceptive practices as challenges in the freight market.
Investigation Into Cargo Theft Network
Investigators said the defendants operated within a broader network of alleged cargo thieves. The Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force, which includes detectives from law enforcement agencies across the county, investigates organized retail theft, vehicle and vehicle-parts theft, and cargo theft.
Sentencing information was not included in the available court announcement.
