Twenty-one people are now in custody in connection with what investigators call a multimillion-dollar fraud trend in Miami-Dade County, authorities announced .

"As your sheriff, I made a clear promise I would root out fraud and corruption wherever it hides," said Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz.

Auto task force uncovers straw buyer operation

MDSO's auto task force, working alongside the county's tax collector's office, made the arrests of individuals described as straw buyers who investigators say illegally purchased vehicles at multiple dealerships.

"A single straw can purchase as many as 20 vehicles over the course of a week before the purchases register on the credit report," Cordero-Stutz said.

Fake paperwork used to purchase vehicles

According to investigators, s

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