by Alex Lloyd Gross
According to Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele, Fares Farhat, 50 ran “A+ Auto
Inspections” and “A Plus Auto Care LLC,” from locations on Philmont Avenue in Lower Moreland, as well as on Torresdale Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia. According to authorities, Farhat did have a vehicle inspection license but it was suspended.
That fact did not stop him from preforming what customers thought were safety inspections on commercial trucks. Over 150 different companies got fake inspection stickers. They paid for them with cash or Zelle. He would charge between $150.00 and $250.00 per truck. He netted almost $300,000 from selling fake inspection stickers, authorities said.
Pennsylvania State Police began investigating Farhat after PennDOT officials and troopers observed safety inspection stickers that were missing security features, the serial numbers of authorized inspection stations and other abnormalities. These counterfeit safety inspection stickers were found on commercial
vehicles that had severe mechanical deficiencies, including worn or separating brake pads and other conditions that would have made them inoperable under Pennsylvania and federal law and taken them out of service. Farhat’s signature was found on the back of these stickers.
Alex Lloyd Gross Photo-Delaware Valley News.com Montgomery County DA Kevin Steele
Farhat was arrested on Aug. 4, 2025, on charges of Dealing in the Proceeds of Unlawful Activities, Forgery, Corrupt Organization, Deceptive Business Practices—Altered Goods, Theft by Deception, Fabricate Physical Evidence, Unsworn Falsification to Authorities, Altered/Forged/Counterfeit Documents or Plates and related charges.
He was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Andrea Duffy, who set bail at $50,000 cash. A bail review hearing was held Aug. 5, 2025, in the Court of Common Pleas before Senior Judge William P. Mahon, who increased Farhat’s bail to $99,000 cash. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m., Aug. 15, 2025, beforeMagisterial District Judge Thomas P. Murt. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant
District Attorney Gwendolyn Kull, Captain of the Economic Crimes Unit.