Why break into a trailer when you can buy the whole trucking company for $22,000?
That was the playbook, and a California jury just shut it down. As FreightWaves reported, Arshpreet Singh of Sacramento and Vikramjeet Singh of Fontana were convicted of conspiracy to commit theft from interstate shipments. Arshpreet Singh was also convicted of wire fraud conspiracy.
How the Scheme Worked
From March 2024 to June 2025, the pair bought legitimate carriers, including Z&F Transportation LLC and Skyways Trucking LLC. Those companies came with real authority and real standing with brokers.
The crew booked loads through brokers such as Uber Freight, picked up freight at warehouses, and never delivered. The haul included televisions, laptops, vacuums, appliances, footwear, solar panels and tires. The thefts hit Southern California and Grand Prairie, Texas, and losses topped $2 million.
Sentencing is set for January 20, 2027. Arshpreet Singh faces up to 20 years in federal prison; Vikramjeet Singh faces up to 5.
What Brokers Can Do
A clean MC number and a long track record on paper no longer prove who is behind the wheel. Brokers should treat a carrier’s history as a starting point, not a guarantee.
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Watch for recent changes of ownership, officers, phone numbers, email domains or addresses on a carrier’s record, and re-vet before tendering freight.
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Verify the driver and truck at pickup, not just the paperwork. Match the driver’s ID and equipment to what was booked.
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Be cautious when a long-dormant carrier suddenly starts hauling high-value loads, especially electronics and appliances.
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Use tracking and check calls on high-value freight so a missed delivery window gets flagged in hours, not days.
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Report suspected fraud to CargoNet and law enforcement right away.
What Carriers Should Do
Honest carriers pay for this too, because every scam makes brokers more suspicious of everybody.
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Guard your authority like you guard your equipment. Lock down your FMCSA login, and review your registration for changes you did not make.
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Keep your contact information current, and answer broker verification calls quickly.
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If you are selling your company, know exactly who you are selling to, and keep a paper trail.
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Secure trailers with quality locks and park in well-lit, monitored lots whenever you can.
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Tell your drivers to report any pickup that feels wrong: a shipper that will not confirm the load, a rushed dispatcher, or a changed delivery address.
