Emergency Action Taken Halt Sale Of Fake Driver's Licenses

AUSTIN, April 10, 2008 – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott charged a Houston company with selling fake driver’s licenses to immigrants. An enforcement action filed by the Attorney General asked the court to stop the defendants from selling fake international driver’s licenses. Harris County District Judge Grant Dorfman granted the Attorney General’s request for a temporary restraining order, prohibiting the vendor from continuing to illegally manufacture and market the false licenses.

Court documents filed by the Attorney General charge the defendants, Centro de Identificaciones, and its owners, Guillermo R. Robles and Hernan C. Trujillo, with multiple violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA). According to authorities, the defendants marketed fraudulent “International Driver’s Licenses,” which they sold for $225 each. Advertising that targeted the Hispanic community indicated that the defendants’ “licenses” were authentic and would enable purchasers to purchase, insure and drive vehicles legally.

“These defendants are charged with unlawfully selling fake driver’s licenses to immigrants,” Attorney General Abbott said. “The scheme preyed upon foreign nationals who reside in this country who were seeking a driver’s license. The fake licenses conferred a false appearance of legitimacy on those who are in the United States illegally.”

Centro de Identificaciones, which is Spanish for “Identifications Center,” made patently false statements in its Spanish-language advertising and marketed the illegal products in a campaign that spanned several states. The defendants’ advertisements claimed that the licenses are 100 percent legal and declared that the purchasers need not be state residents. Further, the defendants falsely indicated that their licenses would expedite buyers’ ability to purchase and insure motor vehicles. Finally, the defendants falsely assured buyers that the licenses are authorized under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

According to the Attorney General’s enforcement action, the defendants have never been authorized by the state of Texas, the U.S. government or the United Nations to sell and issue international driver’s licenses. The state charged the defendants with Texas DTPA violations because they falsely represented that their company is authorized to issue the licenses.

Under a 1949 treaty called the International Convention on Road Traffic (ICRT), only countries that have joined the treaty officially recognize international driver’s licenses. The United States is a party to the agreement, and only two organizations are permitted to sell the ICRT permits: the American Automobile Association and the American Automobile Touring Alliance. Additionally, the treaty only allows the vendors to sell licenses to U.S. citizens who want to drive in foreign countries that participate in the treaty. Under the provisions of the treaty, non-U.S. citizens must acquire international driving permits in their home country. Finally, ICRT licenses issued to U.S. citizens are not valid in this country.

The Attorney General is seeking restitution for harmed individuals, as well as civil penalties of up to $20,000 per violation and attorneys’ fees. Also requested are civil penalties of up to $250,000 if the defendants’ conduct was calculated to harm individuals aged 65 or older.

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