Great Lakes Wire

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has announced the expansion of the Department’s Auto Insurance Fraud Unit, now rebranded as the Auto Fraud Task Force (AFTF). This change reflects a broader mission to tackle both auto insurance fraud and large-scale criminal auto theft operations.

The state has seen a significant rise in vehicle thefts. In 2023, there were 28,408 reported motor vehicle thefts, marking a 4.1 percent increase from the previous year and a substantial 48.4 percent increase over five years.

As part of its new strategy, AFTF is collaborating with the Michigan State Police Metro Detroit Auto-Theft Recovery Team (MSP MDART). The partnership began last month and includes embedding a dedicated prosecutor within MSP MDART to target high-level auto theft rings in Metro Detroit.

“With the rise of auto thefts across our communities, expanding the Auto Fraud Task Force is an important step to strengthen our fight against both vehicle theft and insurance fraud, crimes that impact far too many Michigan residents each year,” Nessel stated. “Through this new structure, we are enhancing our efforts to dismantle these sophisticated, organized auto crime enterprises across our state.”

Additionally, AFTF will work alongside the Department’s FORCE Team to investigate and prosecute networks involved in auto theft crimes. Earlier this year, Attorney General Nessel revealed that four more members of an alleged criminal organization had been arrested by the FORCE Team for stealing hundreds of vehicles in Southeast Michigan. In total, 14 defendants have been charged with criminal enterprise and auto theft offenses.