Courtesy of Craig’s List
The investigation leading to the indictment and arrests began after members of the NYPD’s Auto Crime Unit spotted Craig’s List advertisements for New Jersey State temporary license plates and vehicle registrations, DA Brown noted.
By Forum Staff
A seven member vehicle forgery crew, based in Queens was busted and indicted by a grand jury on various counts of conspiracy, enterprise corruption and money laundering, after a long-term investigation revealed they raked in over $400,000 from their illegal enterprise.
The defendants are accused of delivering fake auto documents printed from cars and – operating as early as July 2015 – are accused of supplying forged temporary license plates, registrations and other documents to buyers throughout the five boroughs and Long Island.
The defendants set up an illicit business – complete with a payroll and forgery-machines installed within vehicles for quick delivery and printing on-demand. Authorities noted that this type of fraudulent documentation is commonly used to disguise stolen autos, facilitating buyers to cheat the system.
Thedefendants were arraigned before Justice Ushir Pandit-Durant on a 42-count indictment.
The investigation leading to the indictment and arrests began after members of the NYPD’s Auto Crime Unit spotted Craig’s List advertisements for New Jersey State temporary license plates and vehicle registrations. Undercover detectives contacted the seller and successfully purchased fraudulent vehicle identification documents and other material.
Utilizing court-authorized eavesdropping tools undercover detectives intercepted phone calls made and received by Andrew Pandiani, the boss of the business named Verrazano Collision Specialists LLC, proven to be a shell company, never registered or licensed by the state.
The “business” operated by producing forged temporary license plates, insurance documents and other fraudulent auto-related paperwork, selling the items to customers in and around the five boroughs of New York City, as well as in Long Island. Pandiani made cash deposits of no more than $9,999 into different bank accounts in order to avoid the bank requirement of reporting deposits in excess of $10,000 to the federal government.
