Michigan police say Ford worker made millions stealing parts from plant to sell on eBay in years-long scheme
Millions of dollars of brand-new Ford hoods, bumpers and taillights recently disappeared straight off the assembly line into an online market before Dearborn police cracked the case.
According to Fox 2 Detroit, a former Ford Motor employee slipped the parts out of three plants in Wayne, Dearborn and Flat Rock over more than two years, then funneled the loot to a Detroit‑area auto shop that resold it on eBay.
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'When we executed a search warrant … from the floor to the ceiling, it was stacked with brand‑new auto parts,' Police Chief Issa Shahin told Fox 2. The suspect and several associates are now in custody, facing potential charges of grand theft auto, racketeering and running a criminal enterprise.
According to Shahin, the ex‑employee removed factory‑fresh components during shifts and drove them to a third‑party shop on West Chicago Street, where they were then sold online.
Detectives believe the parts were listed online within days, generating a big payday for all parties involved — until police stepped in and shut the entire enterprise down, reports Fox 2.
Any item confirmed as stolen violates eBay's Stolen Property Policy, which states the company 'will work with law enforcement in any attempts to sell stolen property on eBay' and permanently remove offending listings.
Since the federal INFORM Consumers Act took effect in 2023, high‑volume online sellers must verify their identities and provide contact information, which gives police an additional paper trail if goods are suspected to have been stolen.
The warehouse‑style storefront and two locations related to the theft ring have been closed while officers sort and catalog thousands of items. Shahin said the department is 'working with all of our partners to see if we can shut them down permanently.' Ford's global investigations unit is also assisting officials.
Many of the details of this investigation are still under wraps while police continue to investigate, but Fox 2 reports all suspects are currently in custody.
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Buying discounted car parts online can be tempting, but stolen inventory creates headaches for drivers and body shops alike.
If Ford invalidates the component's warranty — or law enforcement seizes the part during an investigation — owners may be stuck with a repair bill and no restitution. Plus, you can be charged with receiving stolen property, depending on which state you live in.
So, how do you avoid stolen goods?
Check the price against the MSRP. A new bumper listed at half the dealership cost is a red flag unless the seller can document overstock or liquidation.
Look for original packaging and intact barcode labels. Missing boxes or scratched‑off serial numbers can signal hot goods.
Vet the seller. Reputable merchants post business addresses, clear return policies and years of positive feedback. Beware of brand‑new accounts or profiles that hide contact info.
Ask for paperwork. Legitimate dismantlers and surplus dealers should provide a receipt showing where the part came from, such as an auction lot, insurance salvage or OEM close‑out.
Use protected payment methods. Paying with a credit card — rather than debit or cash — may make it easier to claw back funds if law enforcement later flags the item as stolen.
If you spot a suspicious listing, you can report a concern on eBay and forward the URL and any screenshots to the local police.
While you likely won't be able to trace the validity of smaller parts, larger parts like doors or engines may still have the car's original VIN number on them. If so, you can verify whether the vehicle was reported stolen using the National Insurance Crime Bureau's free VINCheck Service.
Stolen parts rings thrive on speed and anonymity, moving inventory before factories even notice it's missing. A few minutes of due diligence — plus a healthy dose of skepticism about 'too‑good‑to‑be‑true' prices — can steer you clear of the financial and legal headache of buying stolen parts.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
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