The Organized Retail Crime Unit, in conjunction with the Michigan State Police, announced initial results of its first major investigation. The unit was created by Attorney General Dana Nessel to target criminal organizations that steal products from retailers to repackage and sell for profit.
Key Points:
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- Three individuals were arrested and arraigned for their connection to an interstate food stamp fraud enterprise.
- The fraud ring is alleged to have illegally obtained EBT card data from 8,000 cardholders, mostly out-of-state.
- The operation allegedly illegally reproduced EBT cards in Michigan with the data and used the cards for fraudulent purchases.
- Search warrants resulted in substantial material seizures.
- The department expects more defendants to be named.
Organized Retail Crime Unit:
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- Two assistant attorneys general serve the unit full-time.
- They work with special agents within the Department of Attorney General and the Michigan State Police.
- This is a first-in-the-nation unit, being the only such unit with embedded dedicated staff from the A.G.’s office.
