Credit: Montgomery County District Attorney.
Fares Farhat, a 50-year-old man from Halifax, has been arrested and charged with 81 felony counts and numerous other offenses for orchestrating a widespread fraudulent inspection scheme involving commercial transport vehicles.
The charges include dealing in the proceeds of unlawful activities, forgery, corrupt organizations, theft by deception, and related crimes.
According to Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele, Farhat was conducting illegal safety inspections and issuing counterfeit Pennsylvania and federal inspection stickers and documentation for commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), even though he had been suspended as a certified state inspection mechanic. His actions led to unsafe, mechanically deficient vehicles—some with worn or failing brakes—being falsely certified as roadworthy and allowed to operate on public roads.
Farhat operated his criminal enterprise under the business names “A+ Auto Inspections” and “A Plus Auto Care LLC,” with locations in Montgomery County and Philadelphia. Investigators found that Farhat used counterfeit inspection stickers that lacked proper security features and issued them to both individual vehicles and entire commercial fleets. He charged customers between $150 and $250 per vehicle, accepting payments via Zelle or in cash.
An investigation revealed that many of his customers, including over 150 motor carrier companies and trucking officials, were unaware that the inspection documents they received were fake. Analysis of his Zelle account showed at least $76,000 in transactions specifically noted as inspection-related, with an additional $207,000 in similar payments lacking notations but matching the pattern.
Authorities emphasized the serious public safety risks caused by Farhat's actions. DA Steele noted that improperly inspected trucks and trailers pose dangers to everyone on the road, referencing past tragedies involving large commercial vehicles that were not roadworthy.
Farhat was arrested on Aug. 4, 2025, and initially arraigned with bail set at $50,000. Following a bail review, it was raised to $99,000 cash. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 15, 2025, before Magisterial District Judge Thomas P. Murt. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Gwendolyn Kull, Captain of the Economic Crimes Unit.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
