Counterfeit restraint systems, including airbags, were sold on eBay and more than $600,000 has been seized from the suspect’s bank accounts
Lansing, Mich.—Michigan’s newly expanded Auto Fraud Task Force (AFTF) brought its first charges on Tuesday involving a New Baltimore man who allegedly sold counterfeit auto parts.
Dinas Kamaitis, 31, was arraigned in the 37th District Court in Warren for allegedly selling counterfeit restraint systems, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.
Kamaitis is charged with the following:
- One count of Using a Computer to Commit a Crime, a 7-year felony.
- Four counts of Delivery/Possession of Property with Counterfeit Identifying Marks, each a 5-year felony.
- Four counts of Selling Counterfeit Supplemental Restraint Systems, each a 4-year felony.
An estimated 81,000 vehicles in Michigan may be equipped with counterfeit restraint systems, and over 80 percent of counterfeit airbags involved in collisions fail to deploy properly, posing a severe risk of injury or death to vehicle occupants.
It is alleged that Kamaitis was selling counterfeit restraint systems, including airbags, on his eBay store. More than $600,000 has been seized from bank accounts associated with Kamaitis.
“Counterfeit parts are a serious public safety hazard on our roads,” Nessel said. “My newly expanded Auto Fraud Task Force is committed to holding accountable those who put Michiganders at risk, and I am confident that our continued partnership with the Michigan State Police will strengthen our efforts to combat this threat and keep drivers safe.”
In January, Attorney General Nessel expanded the Department’s Auto Insurance Fraud Unit, transforming it into the AFTF to reflect its broadened mission to combat both auto insurance fraud and large-scale criminal auto theft operations.
As part of its expansion, AFTF has partnered with the Michigan State Police Metro Detroit Auto-Theft Recovery Team (MSP MDART), embedding a dedicated prosecutor within MSP MDART to pursue high-level auto theft rings operating in Metro Detroit.
Kamiatis will next appear in court on April 10.
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