Texas Tax Office Employees Accused of Vehicle Registration Scam

Alleged scheme involved Facebook and TikTok posts, bribing officials, and fraudulent vehicle registrations

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Two former Harris County Tax Office employees and two Houston business owners have been charged for their alleged roles in a fraudulent vehicle registration scam. Court documents claim they illegally processed vehicle registrations and title transfers, defrauding taxpayers out of tens of thousands of dollars by enabling customers to avoid inspections and important documentation requirements.

Why it matters

This case highlights the abuse of public trust by government officials and the potential dangers of uninspected vehicles being allowed on the roads. It also raises concerns about the use of social media to promote illegal services and the need for stronger oversight and internal controls within tax offices.

The details

Authorities have taken the owner of Bella's Multiservices and Notary into custody, along with two other suspects. A fourth individual connected to the company remains at large. Investigators claim the scheme enabled customers to avoid inspections and important documentation, while tens of thousands of dollars were transferred to the scammers and uninspected vehicles were permitted to drive on local roads. The former tax office employees allegedly paid thousands of dollars to falsely register dozens of vehicles between November 2023 and April 2024.

  • In 2023, police opened an inquiry after learning the company was using TikTok to advertise providing registration stickers without a vehicle inspection or insurance.
  • From November 2023 to April 2024, the tax office staff allegedly paid two former employees of the Harris County Tax Office's Scarsdale Branch thousands of dollars to falsely register dozens of vehicles.

The players

Bella's Multiservices and Notary

A Houston-based business that was allegedly involved in the fraudulent vehicle registration scheme.

Harris County Tax Office

The local government agency where the two former employees worked and were allegedly involved in the scam.

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What’s next

Prosecutors have charged the owners of Bella's Multiservices and Notary with two felony counts each of engaging in criminal activity. The two former tax office workers also face two felony counts of organized crime. All four suspects face up to 99 years or life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for stronger oversight and internal controls within government agencies to prevent the abuse of public trust and the potential dangers of fraudulent vehicle registrations. It also underscores the importance of cracking down on the use of social media to promote illegal services.