The FBI raided three auto part warehouses yesterday looking for counterfeit parts that were being sold to cab fleets as an OES Ford brake pad. The warehouse were Worldwide Auto Parts, S&S International Products and Cypros Trading and Shipping.
The raids and three-year investigation uncovered the warehouses were repackaging cheap ignition coils, water pumps, window regulators, suspension sway bar links, wheel hubs, anti-lock braking sensors, control arm bushings, transmission filters, pitman arms, tie rod ends, and suspension air springs in premium aftermarket and OEM branded part boxes they printed.
The charges allege that the two men counterfeited aftermarket parts from Motorcraft, Federal Mogul and GM. Documents also alleged they internationally trafficked stickers, badges, wrappers and tags used to identify aftermarket and OEM brands.
The FBI was alerted when some cab fleets were sold bad brake pads and ignition coils under the Ford Motorcraft brand. This is going to be big news when they start to uncover the depth of their counterfeit operation. These warehouse also sold to distributors that sold to the public.
Here are links to the Indictments (well worth reading):
Malhotra, Shashi and Kilani, Fadi Indictment
Here are links to the media coverage so far: