Military Veteran Discovers Custom Purple Heart License Plates Cloned by Criminals
Finn's Take· TL;DR- Criminal clones of military veteran's custom Purple Heart plates found on stolen vehicle with additional stolen plates inside.
- License plate cloning used across Texas to evade tolls, hide stolen cars, and potentially frame innocent drivers for crimes.
- Victims can protect themselves by avoiding posting vehicle photos online, using security screws, inspecting plates regularly, and reporting theft immediately.
When Police Called With Shocking News
Armand McGowan never expected to receive a call from San Antonio police telling him his custom Purple Heart license plates had been found on a stolen car. The military veteran, who lives on the Northeast Side, was baffled by the news. His original plates were still securely attached to his truck .
License plate cloning involves criminals creating counterfeit plates using existing legitimate license plate numbers, then placing those fake plates on vehicles they're driving . Austin police report that in most cases, these phony plates are used by criminals trying to avoid paying toll fees or to cover up stolen vehicles .
The Disturbing Reality of License Plate Cloning
McGowan's case stands out because of the specialized nature of his plates. His custom-ordered Purple Heart license plates feature all letters, making the scenario of a printing mistake unlikely . McGowan has no idea how criminals obtained his license plate number .
The police report reveals that when officers found McGowan's cloned plates on the stolen vehicle, they also discovered a license plate stolen from someone else inside the car . This suggests organized criminal activity rather than an isolated incident.
A Growing Problem Across Texas
License plate cloning has been reported in Austin and Houston, where drivers have received unexpected bills for tollway fees . According to Austin Police Department, while not particularly common, the crime has happened on occasion .
The scheme can have serious consequences beyond toll violations. Victims may face wrongful arrests, unexpected legal bills, or find themselves linked to crimes they didn't commit. One woman joked to her husband that she feared ending up on a Netflix documentary after being wrongfully arrested.
Protecting Yourself From This Crime
To avoid becoming a victim, Austin police recommend that drivers refrain from posting photos of their cars and plates online and attach their plates using security screws . Regular vehicle inspections can also help detect if plates have been swapped.
Anyone who becomes a victim of license plate cloning should report it to police right away . The crime represents a new frontier in identity theft, where criminals can steal your vehicle's identity without ever touching your actual car. As technology advances and criminals become more sophisticated, vigilance becomes the best defense against these invisible crimes that can upend innocent lives.