New York law enforcement is cracking down on the rise of fake license plates, which look nearly identical to real state-issued plates but are being sold online as vanity or decorative plates. These plates are illegal to mount on a vehicle, yet they are being used to evade tolls, commit crimes, and avoid detection.
The Growing Problem of Fake Plates
A recent investigation revealed that nearly 9,000 fake plates were detected in the past year, and officials expect that number to grow.
CBS News reporter Jennifer McLogan was able to order a CBS-NEWS plate from Amazon for just $22, demonstrating how easy it is to obtain these fake plates.
Why Are Fake Plates a Concern?
According to Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder, the rise in fake plates is creating major problems for law enforcement:
“These fake vanity plates are being put on cars all over, and it’s becoming a big problem for us in law enforcement.”
Fake plates are often used to:
- Avoid tolls and congestion pricing
- Commit crimes without being identified
- Dodge traffic cameras and fines
Statewide Law Enforcement Efforts
Authorities across New York City, Suffolk County, and Nassau County are working together to track the source and distribution of these plates.
MTA police and the NYPD are actively pulling over drivers with suspected fake plates. Law enforcement has also launched targeted patrols to seize illegal plates and impound vehicles.
Penalties for Using Fake Plates
Using a fake plate is considered fraud, and the consequences are severe:
- Immediate vehicle impoundment
- Fines exceeding $1,000
- Possible arrest
New York State Police Capt. Vince Augeri issued a clear warning:
“That is fraud. They will be arrested. Their vehicle will be impounded.”
The Case of Beda Koorey: Stuck with Thousands in Fines
In December 2023, CBS News New York reported the case of Beda Koorey, a woman from Huntington, Suffolk County. She had surrendered her Star Trek-themed vanity plate (NCC-1701) five years ago, yet she was hit with thousands of dollars in fines because people across the U.S. purchased the same fake plate online.
Her tickets were eventually overturned, and some online vendors were ordered to stop selling deceptive plates.
New York’s Legal Crackdown on Fake Plate Sales
To stop the sale of fraudulent license plates, New York lawmakers passed a law in September 2023 that:
- Fines vendors up to $500 per plate
- Allows the Attorney General to take legal action against sellers
- Bans the manufacture, sale, or distribution of fake plates in New York
Attorney Kenneth Mollins, who helped Koorey resolve her case, stated:
“The Attorney General has the power to stop it. The law specifically says you bring an injunction, stop it, and fine the seller.”
Will Online Marketplaces Stop Selling Fake Plates?
Amazon has stated it is investigating the legality of vanity plate sales, while the New York Attorney General’s Office is monitoring the situation.
