ng phishing and social engineering schemes to steal their credentials, including their second factor authentication method, to commit the vast majority of transport fraud,  a company spokesperson said.  We provide robust security solutions and education to help our customers defend themselves against such schemes--and our team works closely with law enforcement, when possible and requested, to assist in their investigations. 

Inside the investigation

The investigation began after police received reports of stolen vehicles with tracking systems that showed their last known locations in Houston. Some vehicles had been stolen from other parts of Texas or other states, LeBlanc said.

Investigators said the suspects allegedly posed as vehicle owners or customers to take possession of cars from transport drivers. In some cases, police said, the suspects allegedly posed as transport companies to win shipping jobs, gathered vehicle information, then contacted legitimate carriers and rerouted the cars to Houston.

The cars were then allegedly taken to commercial parking lots scattered around the city, where they were left for hours or days for a  cool down period  after their tracking devices were disabled. The group then arranged transportation to East Coast port cities, where vehicles were packaged in containers for overseas shipment, LeBlanc said.

The three family members worked together to pick up vehicles and conduct counter-surveillance, according to police. The family also allegedly worked with the two other suspects to acquire vehicles and move them to stash locations. The parents operated a mechanics business in a southwest Houston shopping strip, LeBlanc said, adding that some people from the shop were paid to pick up vehicles.

The case is the first of its kind in which the Houston Police Department's Auto Theft Division has arrested and charged suspects, LeBlanc said. He described the scheme as sophisticated.

 This is something that law enforcement agencies across the country have been seeing an uptick in I would say over the last like three or four years,  LeBlanc said.  It was very sophisticated as to they knew exactly what time and location these were going to be delivered. They would have their group there to take immediate possession of it. 

LeBlanc shared these tips for people shipping a vehicle:

Research and vet transport companies

Review invoices and shipping documents

Confirm the destination directly with the customer

Dealerships should check the bill of lading and call customers to verify the final destination before releasing a vehicle

 If you see any discrepancies at all, don't let your car go,  LeBlanc said.

Court records show Abd and Al Saedi posted a $100,000 bond, and Gonzalez posted a $50,000 bond. Those three have been released from the Harris County jail. As of Thursday afternoon, Al Gburi remains in the Collin County jail.

KPRC 2 News has reached out to defense attorneys listed for Abd, Al Saedi, and Gonzalez.