NJ Says Its Photo-Matching Program Is Cutting Driver's License Identity Fraud
By Justin Udo
TRENTON, N.J. (CBS) -- The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission says its high-tech facial recognition program is catching people who try to illegally obtain a second driver's license using a false identity (see previous story).
In the first year, the operation -- known as "Operation Facial Scrub" -- has yielded 38 criminal prosecutions and more than 600 potential cases.
Raymond Martinez, chairman and chief administrator of the MVC, thinks theirs is one of the most promising fraud prevention programs he's ever seen.
"We talked to the federal government," he recalls. "They told us some of the pitfalls, some of the weaknesses, (and) some of the strengths of the program, so we designed our program to maximize the strengths and eliminate the weaknesses. We believe we have one of the best facial recognition programs in the country."
Martinez also says the state is also sharing its photo database with more than 20 other states to help them pursue other fraud cases.
