Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office has expanded its Auto Insurance Fraud Unit, rebranding it as the Auto Fraud Task Force. This move reflects a broader mission to tackle both auto insurance fraud and the growing problem of large-scale criminal auto theft operations.
Vehicle theft in Michigan has increased significantly in recent years, according to a press release from Nessel’s office. In 2023, motor vehicle thefts totaled 28,408, a 4.1 percent rise from the previous year and a substantial 48.4 percent increase over the last five years.
As part of the expansion, the task force has partnered with the Michigan State Police Metro Detroit Auto-Theft Recovery Team. This collaboration, which began last month, has embedded a dedicated prosecutor within the MSP team to focus on high-level auto theft rings operating 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 said. “Through this new structure, we are enhancing our efforts to dismantle these sophisticated, organized auto crime enterprises across our state.”
The task force will also collaborate with the Department’s FORCE Team to investigate and prosecute auto theft crime networks. Earlier this year, Attorney General Nessel announced the FORCE Team’s arrest of four additional members of an alleged criminal organization responsible for stealing hundreds of vehicles in southeast Michigan. The FORCE Team has charged a total of 14 defendants with criminal enterprise and auto theft offenses.
