New York Attorney General Letitia James announced on May 6 the arrest and sentencing of Tyheem Evans, a 28-year-old Brooklyn resident, for selling more than 50 forged temporary license plates to customers in New York and other states. The investigation was led by the Office of the Attorney General, the New York City Department of Investigation, and the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.
Authorities said Evans used Instagram to advertise and sell fake temporary license plates over a period lasting more than a year. He claimed these plates were valid nationwide and defrauded at least 52 customers across multiple states. Evans pleaded guilty in Kings County Criminal Court to one felony count for creating and selling forged license plates.
“Tyheem Evans defrauded drivers and the DMV with a petty scheme to line his own pockets while making our roads less safe,” said Attorney General James. “I thank our partners in law enforcement and the DMV for their invaluable assistance in this case and their work ensuring all those who violate the law are held accountable. I encourage all New Yorkers seeking license plates to follow the legal process and register with the DMV.”
DOI Commissioner Nadia I. Shihata said, “This defendant pleaded guilty and was sentenced today for using social media to advertise and sell forged temporary license plates for a fee to more than four dozen customers. Forged temporary license plates undercut safety on our roads by creating ‘ghost cars’ that render drivers untraceable and can also disguise other offenses such as the failure to properly register a car with the Department of Motor Vehicles. I thank the New York State Attorney General’s Office and the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles for their partnership on this investigation and their commitment to protecting drivers from the serious impact of fraud.”
According to officials, between April 2022 and September 2023, Evans operated an Instagram account called @DMVTemps where he sold fake temporary tags ranging from 30 days up to 90 days validity periods, charging up to $210 per plate. These were made available for several states including California, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, Texas, Virginia among others.
DMV Acting Commissioner Christian Jackstadt said: “I want to commend the work of our DMV investigators and collaboration with the Attorney General’s office … It has been a top priority …to crack down on efforts…to stop those who would use fake plates…We will find you and you will be held responsible for your actions.”
Evans received information about vehicles through direct messaging on Instagram before collecting payments via Zelle; he then emailed PDF versions of forged tags once payment was confirmed. He pleaded guilty before Judge Jane Tully to one count of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in Second Degree (a class D felony) receiving three years conditional discharge plus community service.