You cannot accidentally commit a felony - there has to be intent. What you are suggesting would substantially impede legitimate commerce (which by the way makes up the supermajority of all commerce) and would just result in actual fences coming up with fake documentation. As it stands now companies are basically expected to avoid deals where they see red flags around the provenance of the items. In neither indictment is the refinery mentioned as knowingly receiving the stolen metal powder. DG auto is basically the perfect target because they are a high level facilitator of stolen catalytic converters, they have connections to refineries, and unlike street level guys are probably hard to replace in the stolen catalytic converter supply chain. They even had a pricing app (https://dgauto.app) so prospective thieves would know which cars to target.
You cannot but laws around forfeiture are weird. If what you own was involved in a crime it can be forfeitured even though you yourself are not charged with anything. And yes, that includes money too. It's from drug laws but I'd say it would better applied here.
> What you are suggesting would substantially impede legitimate commerce
Maybe it should be a bit impeded if unimpeded led to national crime wave.