Fraud Prevention and Detection: NMVTIS Enforcement

This award recognizes a state, local, tribal or federal government authorized NMVTIS Law Enforcement Access Tool (LEAT) user (this may be an individual or task force/group) who has demonstrated excellence in completing an investigation related to NMVTIS violations and/or in the use of the LEAT as a tool to further an investigation of motor vehicle related crimes.

This award is presented at the international level.

Each agency/organization may submit only ONE entry.

Criteria for selection:

  • Demonstrated diligence in conducting a NMVTIS investigation by compiling facts and evidence that support successful prosecution
  • Exemplary use of NMVTIS LEAT at a high level with measurable results
  • Going above and beyond to share knowledge, resources, and information related to a NMVTIS investigation or use of NMVTIS LEAT in gathering pertinent information that enhances an investigation

This award is open to AAMVA jurisdiction members and to non-members.

This award includes a $500 donation made to the winner’s charitable organization of choice. This donation is made possible by the generosity of the National Salvage Vehicle Reporting Program, and its administrator, Howard Nusbaum, who has been an instrumental advocate of NMVTIS since 2010.     


2026 Winner

Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles 

Compliance Enforcement Division: Odometer Fraud2026 - NMVTIS Fraud - Region 4 - Nevada 

With the increased availability of OBD-enabled electronic tampering devices, odometer fraud has significantly increased as a method of defrauding consumers. Nevada DMV police have been successful in arresting and obtaining convictions of multiple individuals involved in sophisticated odometer fraud scams that have targeted Nevada consumers. The suspects, sometimes part of groups and rings, rolled back odometers on used vehicles and sold them at artificially inflated prices, defrauding victims of thousands of dollars.

DMV detectives have completed numerous successful investigations utilizing advanced investigative tools and databases, starting with NMVTIS, to build comprehensive cases against suspects and protect consumers from fraud and unsafe vehicles. NMVTIS data is used in odometer fraud investigations by Nevada DMV detectives to reveal odometer discrepancies and vehicle history irregularities, including some from out of state, providing critical indicators of odometer tampering.

Once DMV detectives discover indicators of odometer fraud through NMVTIS, they utilize a multifaceted approach to build their case. This includes victim interviews documenting the scope of the fraud and its financial impact; social media research; facial recognition technology to identify suspects and link them to fraudulent transactions; photo lineups; other vehicle history databases to corroborate vehicle mileage inconsistencies; and traditional law enforcement investigative methods, including surveillance and financial records analysis obtained through search warrants, grand jury subpoenas, and administrative subpoenas. Detectives also conduct undercover purchases and work with allied agencies, task forces, out-of-state partners, and federal resources.

Nevada DMV investigations revealed that multiple groups of suspects acquired high-mileage vehicles, illegally rolled back odometers by thousands of miles, and then marketed the vehicles on social media to unsuspecting buyers at prices far exceeding their actual market value. In some cases, vehicles with more than 200,000 miles were misrepresented as having fewer than 75,000 miles, resulting in price inflation that was sometimes double the vehicle’s actual value. Multiple victims described their shock upon discovering that vehicles they had purchased had significantly more miles than disclosed by the seller. Many victims faced unexpected maintenance costs and diminished vehicle values as a result of the fraud.

In most of these cases, DMV detectives were able to use surveillance and social media postings to identify and locate suspects, set up undercover purchases of vehicles, and make arrests. Defendants faced felony charges, including odometer fraud, theft by deception, and obtaining money under false pretenses. Convictions in these cases carry significant penalties, including substantial fines and potential prison sentences.

Nevada DMV detectives have been successful in arresting and obtaining convictions of multiple individuals involved in sophisticated odometer fraud operations that targeted Nevada consumers. Nevada DMV’s Law Enforcement Division has shared its case information with NHTSA special agents who are conducting a multistate criminal investigation into fraud rings originating from Nevada’s cases. The Division has also engaged media resources to educate the public and deter odometer fraud.