A former Ford employee is accused of stealing over 72,000 euros worth of parts from a factory to sell them online.
14/11/2026 08:00
Updated to
14/11/2026 08:00
A former Ford worker and three others face charges in the United States for an alleged scheme to steal and sell original parts from the brand. According to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, the ex-employee allegedly stole parts from Ford’s Rouge factory in Dearborn, Michigan, to distribute them later through a Detroit-based business and platforms like eBay. American media estimate the value of the parts involved at over 72,000 euros, though authorities have not yet publicly disclosed the total amount. All four defendants have pleaded not guilty.
They stole parts from Ford’s factory and sold them online
The incidents under investigation date back to March and April 2025, when suspicious movements of parts were first detected at Ford’s industrial facilities.
According to the charges, 35-year-old Wissam Faraj, who was then an employee of the American manufacturer, allegedly used his access to the factory to steal new components for cars and trucks.
The investigation suggests that 25-year-old Aiman Kahil ordered certain spare parts, which were then transported to the Startec Auto Parts facility in Detroit. Two other individuals, 36-year-old Firas Kahil and 63-year-old Badr Kahil, are said to have been involved in selling them.
Investigators claim that the parts were eventually sold at the store itself and through platforms such as eBay and Facebook Marketplace, usually at prices lower than usual. The components under investigation include headlights, bumpers, and airbags—parts that can command high prices when purchased through official channels.
Ford discovered the irregularities and the Police purchased parts for investigation
The alleged scheme began to unravel when Ford workers noticed irregularities related to the stored materials. The company launched an internal investigation and passed its suspicions on to the Dearborn Police in March 2025.
From that point, officers tracked the whereabouts of the components and made controlled purchases of parts allegedly stolen to gather evidence. The investigation also involved analyzing thousands of messages, emails, photographs, and security recordings.
In May 2025, searches were conducted at several businesses and residences related to the case, during which authorities recovered thousands of Ford parts. The investigation continued until the prosecutor’s office formally filed charges in November 2026.
Four defendants and possible prison sentences
The four suspects appeared in a Michigan court on November 10, 2026. Each faces six charges, including participation in a criminal organization and receiving or concealing property allegedly stolen.
The judge set bail at approximately 180,000 euros for Faraj and 90,000 euros for each of the other three defendants. He also imposed travel restrictions and measures to prevent contact with certain Ford facilities.
The next court hearing is scheduled for December 2. Ford claims it has reviewed its safety procedures and implemented corrective measures to strengthen oversight of components at its facilities.
The case highlights the difficulties in tracking original parts once they leave authorized distribution channels. However, the responsibility of the four defendants still needs to be determined by the court, so they remain under the presumption of innocence.