Investigators allege suspects diverted legitimate vehicle shipments, disabled tracking devices and concealed stolen automobiles in overseas shipping containers.
Houston, TX – October 19, 2026 – Five people have been charged in connection with an alleged organized vehicle theft operation involving approximately $3 million in luxury automobiles diverted from legitimate transportation assignments in the Houston area.
According to the Houston Police Department investigation reported by KPRC 2, suspects allegedly impersonated vehicle transportation companies and customers to redirect shipments, take possession of vehicles and arrange their transportation overseas.
Investigators recovered approximately 15 vehicles, including Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac Escalades, Range Rovers and other luxury automobiles. Some were located in shipping containers at the Port of New York and New Jersey, where the cargo was reportedly declared as rebar rather than motor vehicles.
Five Suspects Identified
Authorities identified four adult defendants and a 17-year-old juvenile in connection with the investigation:
- Dheyaa Thabit Abd, 41
- Iman Ouda Al Saedi, 35
- Matthew Gonzalez, 29
- Saifuldeen Al Gburi, 30
- An unidentified 17-year-old male
Abd and Al Saedi are married, and the juvenile is Abd’s son.
All five face allegations of engaging in organized criminal activity. According to court records cited by FOX 26 Houston, the alleged criminal activity occurred between August 2025 and September 2026.
Vehicles Diverted During Transportation
Investigators allege the suspects obtained information about legitimate vehicle transportation assignments and used that information to redirect deliveries to unauthorized locations.
In one incident described in court documents, a 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE63 valued at more than $266,000 was scheduled for delivery to Florida. The transportation driver allegedly received revised instructions directing the vehicle to a Houston residence.
According to investigators, Al Saedi and the juvenile accepted delivery of the Mercedes-Benz and paid the transportation charges.
Authorities allege that vehicles obtained through the operation were subsequently moved to commercial parking locations around Houston, where tracking devices were disabled before the vehicles were transported to other locations.
Court records cited by FOX 26 state that Gonzalez told investigators he received instructions from Abd and Al Gburi regarding vehicle pickups and deliveries. Gonzalez also reportedly alleged that Abd disabled vehicle tracking systems and arranged shipments to Dubai.
These statements remain allegations and have not been established in court.
Central Dispatch Responds to Hacking Allegations
Court proceedings also raised questions about unauthorized access to vehicle transportation information.
Central Dispatch, an online marketplace used to coordinate vehicle shipments, was identified in reporting about the investigation.
In a statement to KPRC 2, Central Dispatch said it had found no evidence that its platform had been breached.
The company explained that vehicle transportation fraud can involve phishing, compromised credentials and social engineering techniques used to impersonate legitimate transportation providers.
Authorities have not publicly established that Central Dispatch itself was hacked in connection with the Houston case.
Similar transportation fraud methods have been the subject of previous reporting by CURepossession, including The Yerevan Connection: Following the Transport Fraud Trail to Repossession Lots and CargoNet Warns: Transport Fraud Is Evolving, Not Disappearing.
Stolen Vehicles Located in Shipping Containers
Investigators traced some of the vehicles to shipping containers at the Port of New York and New Jersey.
According to Houston police, the containers were reportedly identified in shipping documentation as carrying rebar, a steel reinforcement material used in construction.
The Houston Police Department coordinated with law enforcement agencies in New York and New Jersey to recover vehicles associated with the investigation.
Investigators also identified a southwest Houston automotive repair business allegedly associated with Abd.
The overseas shipment allegations follow other investigations involving stolen or fraudulently obtained vehicles exported from the United States. CUCollector previously examined vehicle export fraud and lender exposure in its report, Your Collateral Just Left the Country.
FBI Has Warned About Vehicle Transport Fraud
The FBI has previously identified fraudulent vehicle transportation assignments as a method used in automobile theft operations.
In a public notice seeking victims of vehicle transporter theft, the FBI’s Philadelphia Division described schemes involving fraudulent transportation accounts, compromised carrier credentials and unauthorized vehicle pickups.
According to the FBI, suspects have used legitimate transportation marketplaces to obtain vehicle shipping information and arrange fraudulent deliveries.
The FBI notice concerns a separate investigation. No connection between that investigation and the Houston defendants has been publicly established.
Bond Amounts and Court Proceedings
According to October 15 reporting by KPRC 2, Abd and Al Saedi were released on bonds of $100,000 each. Gonzalez was released on a $50,000 bond.
Al Gburi was reportedly arrested in Collin County, Texas. His subsequent custody status was not immediately confirmed.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have indicated that additional suspects may be involved.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Five Charged in $3 Million Houston Luxury Vehicle Theft and Export Scheme – Five Charged in $3 Million Houston Luxury Vehicle Theft and Export Scheme – Five Charged in $3 Million Houston Luxury Vehicle Theft and Export Scheme
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