New York State Attorney General Letitia James is taking action against Amazon and other businesses after a News 12 investigation revealed the dangers of fake license plates being sold online.

The attorney general says her office sent five businesses, including Amazon, cease and desist letters after News 12’s reporting, requesting them to stop selling fake license plates online.

New York law already makes it illegal to sell decorative or novelty license plates that are nearly identical to plates issued by the state DMV.

The move by James's office comes months after News 12 first reported how drivers using fake plates caused years of headaches for a Huntington grandmother, Beda Koorey.

"New York is cracking down on it, thanks to you,” she said.

News 12 was the first to report about the years of headaches Beda Koorey faced. The Huntington grandmother was battling with the loss of her eyesight, and thousands of dollars in tickets that kept coming to her home.

"I'm going to cry when I think about it,” she said. “Four years of trying to do this by myself all around the country.”

Koorey had tickets sent to her that were connected to a plate she surrendered in 2020.

She found out people were buying a fake version of her plate online, including on Amazon.

News 12 was able to get Koorey’s over $16,000 in tickets from New York City overturned and catch the attention of an attorney who helped disconnect her from the plates. 

News 12 discovered just how easy it is to purchase one of these fake plates online, specifically from Amazon.

This report caught the attention of the New York State Attorney General's Office, which sent cease and desist letters to Amazon and four other businesses after News 12’s reporting.

James's action stopped the businesses from selling fake plates in New York.

After taking action following News 12’s reporting, James said in a statement, “Companies that make and sell fake license plates aren’t just breaking the law, they’re also putting New Yorkers at serious risk. No one should have their finances ruined or safety endangered by another driver with a fake license plate. My office has successfully stopped companies from selling fake license plates in New York and we will continue to take action to enforce the law and protect New York drivers.”

John Jay College of Criminal Justice Associate Professor Adam Scott Wandt says the crackdown helps protect New York drivers and local law enforcement.

"Whether it's running red lights and not being held accountable or getting into traffic accidents and not having the correct insurance or their vehicle registered correctly,” he said.

Koorey says she's grateful it's finally over.

"I have to say to you, 'Thank you,'” she said.

Law enforcement experts say this crackdown comes as more fake plates are being used to avoid congestion pricing.