Michigan authorities have made their first charges against a man accused of selling counterfeit restraint systems for vehicles, which may be installed in an estimated 81,000 vehicles in the state. Dinas Kamaitis, 31, of New Baltimore, MI, faces nine felony charges for selling counterfeit airbags and other restraint components through his eBay store. These counterfeit parts have been found to fail in more than 80% of crashes, increasing the risk of injury or death to vehicle occupants.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel emphasized the serious public safety hazard posed by counterfeit parts on the roads. The charges against Kamaitis carry penalties ranging from four to seven years in prison. Authorities have also seized more than $600,000 from accounts linked to him.
Nessel’s newly expanded Auto Fraud Task Force (AFTF) is dedicated to holding accountable individuals who put Michiganders at risk with counterfeit parts. The AFTF, which was previously known as the Auto Insurance Fraud Unit, now focuses on broader auto-related crimes such as insurance fraud and organized auto theft. By partnering with the Michigan State Police Metro Detroit Auto-Theft Recovery Team (MSP MDART), the task force aims to combat threats to public safety and keep drivers safe on the roads.
This case serves as a warning to potential buyers to be cautious when purchasing auto parts online, as counterfeit parts can pose a serious risk to vehicle occupants in the event of a crash. The ongoing efforts of the AFTF in collaboration with law enforcement agencies aim to dismantle large-scale auto theft rings and ensure the safety of drivers in Michigan.
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