Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) Director Anita Fox announced a guilty plea from a Detroit man who sold counterfeit insurance documents.
Last July, following an undercover investigation by DIFS’ regulatory investigators, Anthony Johnson, 30, was charged with:
• One count of using a computer to commit a crime, a seven-year felony.
• Four counts of possession of stolen or counterfeit insurance certificates, five-year felonies.
The departments alleged Johnson used Facebook to sell car insurance policies that appeared to be through 21st Century Insurance Company. Johnson offered a six-month policy for $150 and a year-long policy for $200.
A check with 21st Century determined the documents were fraudulent despite using the company’s logo. A search of DIFS’ databases showed Johnson was not licensed by the State of Michigan to sell insurance.
Last week before Judge Chandra W. Baker in Wayne County’s Third Circuit Court, Johnson pleaded guilty to:
• One count of using a computer to commit a crime, a seven-year felony.
• One count of insurance fraudulent acts, a four-year felony.
“Exploiting consumers’ needs for affordable insurance through counterfeit schemes is a crime and I appreciate the work done between my office and DIFS to reach this guilty plea,” Nessel said. “While we will continue to hold accountable those who break the law, I also encourage people to do their research before purchasing any type of service that’s advertised online.”
Sentencing for Johnson is set for Aug. 20 at 9 a.m. before Judge Baker.
“Buying and selling fraudulent insurance certificates can lead not only to criminal penalties, but also leaves the driver uninsured in the event of an accident,” Fox said. “This is a great time for uninsured drivers to take advantage of the new lower cost options under Michigan’s new auto insurance law and to get coverage without paying increased premiums or penalties before the amnesty period ends on Jan. 1, 2022. More information can be found at Michigan.gov/AutoInsurance.”
The DIFS Fraud Investigation Unit investigates criminal and fraudulent activity related to the insurance and financial markets and works with the Attorney General and other law enforcement to prosecute these crimes. Suspected insurance fraud can be reported to DIFS safely, easily and, in most cases, anonymously by calling 877-999-6442 or online by visiting DIFS’ website at www.michigan.gov/difs.
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