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Last updated: July 23, 2024

How the FBI Took Down a $545 Million Catalytic Converter Theft Ring

And why people want these emission-controlling devices in the first place

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Catalytic converters are parts of a vehicle that control emissions, converting smog-causing pollutants into less harmful compounds. In the past few years, catalytic converter theft has swept the nation, rising 353 percent from 2020 to 2021, according to data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau. In early November, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) fought back, arresting nearly two dozen people across five states using more than 30 search warrants. Here’s how it happened.

How the FBI Took Down a $545 Million Catalytic Converter Theft Ring

Car Theft Graphic

In a group effort with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, the FBI attained more than 30 search warrants that allowed it to search and seize a multitude of items. These included: homes, bank accounts, luxury vehicles, and cash from the leaders and associates of a suspected catalytic converter theft ring. Members of the ring, which were arrested, included processors, dealers, and the alleged thieves themselves.

The parties involved allegedly sold the catalytic converters for tens of millions of dollars across California, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Wyoming, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Nevada, and Virginia. The assets the FBI seized were worth millions, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.1 Currently, the FBI has arrested 21 people across five states and charged them with conspiracy. They await trial and could face major jail time.

How Big Is the Catalytic Converter Theft Problem?

Auto thieves stole 5 million catalytic converters in 2021, but the problem is worse in some states than others. In fact, according to State Farm, incidents in California between July 2021 and June 2022 accounted for 25 percent of all of the insurer’s catalytic converter theft claims, while Texas came in second with 14 percent of claims.2

Other data from the DOJ echo that California is the biggest state for catalytic converter theft, with 1,600 stolen each month for a total of 19,200 per year. The research shows that California accounted for 37 percent of all nationwide catalytic converter theft in 2019, a percentage even higher than the State Farm data. In general, California has some of the highest rates of car theft in the country, with 428 car thefts per 100,000 inhabitants in 2020, 42 percent more than the national average.3

Why Do People Steal Catalytic Converters?

You might be wondering why catalytic converters are so valuable in the first place. These devices contain precious metals like palladium, platinum, or rhodium, allowing thieves to reap hundreds of dollars from a single device.4

Precious metal November 2022 value per ounce
Palladium $1,928.35
Platinum $1,004.80
Rhodium $430.825

Thieves can steal catalytic converters in only a few minutes using basic tools, making this form of auto theft highly lucrative. Unfortunately, car insurance covers theft only if the insured person has comprehensive coverage, which no state requires. Even if the individual had full coverage car insurance, they’d have to pay their insurance’s deductible before the coverage would kick in. This means many people have to pay for a catalytic converter replacement out of pocket.

Drivers can prevent catalytic converter theft by parking in private garages, installing cages around their catalytic converters, and locking their garages and gates while their cars are in storage.

Aliza Vigderman
Written by:Aliza Vigderman
Senior Writer & Editor
A seasoned journalist and content strategist with over 10 years of editorial experience in digital media, Aliza Vigderman has written and edited hundreds of articles on the site, covering everything from plan coverages to discounts to state laws. Previously, she was a senior editor and industry analyst at the home and digital security website Security.org, previously called Security Baron. She has also contributed to The Huffington Post, SquareFoot, and Degreed. Aliza studied journalism at Brandeis University.

Citations

  1. Justice Department Announces Takedown of Nationwide Catalytic Converter Theft Ring. The United States Department of Justice. (2022, Nov 2).
    https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-takedown-nationwide-catalytic-converter-theft-ring

  2. State Farm auto claims data reveals continued surge in catalytic converter theft. State Farm. (2022, Oct 4).
    https://newsroom.statefarm.com/continued-surge-in-catalytic-converter-theft/

  3. Crime in the United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation. (2019).
    https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2019/crime-in-the-u.s.-2019/topic-pages/tables/table-5

  4. Catalytic Converter Theft and the Smog Check Program. California Bureau of Automotive Repair. (2022).
    https://www.bar.ca.gov/consumer/smog-check-program/catalytic-converter-theft

  5. Gold, Silver, Platinum and Palladium Live Spot Prices. Money Metals. (2022).
    https://www.moneymetals.com/precious-metals-charts