Police Arrest Two People in Large Scale Fake License Scam in Mo.

Authorities in Grain Valley, Mo. have arrested two people suspected of making illegal license tags.

Police believe the large-scale operation has already brought in $10,000 to $20,000 for those involved. The investigation into the operation started 18 months ago and resulted in the arrest last fall of the owner of an auto business in Kansas City.

According to officials, people often seek to purchase the fake tags, which can be made on a home computer, when they can’t afford to register and license their vehicles. Before obtaining tags legally, owners must pay sales and property taxes and show proof of insurance. Their vehicles also must pass inspection.

Grain Valley police made the two arrests when they served a search warrant at a home. Police were joined by officials from the Missouri Department of Revenue, who also recovered evidence from the home.

Officials believe the fake tags were being printed in the home and sold somewhere in Kansas City. The auto body business owner arrested last fall, Harun Whitley, has been charged with more than a dozen counts of forgery.

According to a court document, police obtained a search warrant after an undercover officer bought a fake temporary tag from Whitley’s business on two separate occasions. Nineteen fake temporary permits were found during the search.

Temporary tags obtained legally cost $12 and require a bill of sale dated within the past 30 days as well as proof of a safety inspection.

Source: The Kansas City Star, www.kansascity.com

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Received Id 1018761960 on Feb 16 2006 13:06

Topics Law Enforcement Kansas Missouri