Stolen Cars Shipped to Russia

An international crime ring masquerading as a nonprofit organization shipped illegally obtained luxury cars to Russia, Armenia, Georgia and Jordan, authorities charge.

After a yearlong investigation, Los Angeles police arrested eight Armenian and Russian nationals on suspicion of fraud and issued 11 warrants for their suspected accomplices, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies' Transnational Threats Update.

Two of those arrested operated Global Human Services (GHS), a charity that sent large shipments of humanitarian aid to the four nations.

Last year, the Department of Homeland Security seized two GHS shipping containers in Houston and found two SUVs hidden behind false walls.

GHS allegedly bought vehicles from car owners and leaseholders, who then reported them stolen and collected insurance money after GHS shipped the luxury cars overseas.

Over two years, GHS reportedly shipped 200 vehicles worth $5 million.

Police believe two of the suspected accomplices have already left the U.S.