What are the most criminal numbers: codes and letters

The question of what kind of criminal license plates can be found on the roads is of interest not only to car enthusiasts, but also to observers who monitor the social hierarchy. In Russia, a car number has long ceased to be just a vehicle identifier, having turned into a bright marker of social status, belonging to certain circles, or simply an object of envy.

Historically, certain combinations of numbers and letters have been perceived by society as symbols of power and influence. This is not just a superstition, but an established cultural norm that works even when the owner of the car has nothing to do with government agencies. People are willing to pay huge amounts of money for combinations that visually resemble intelligence codes or government series.

In this article we will analyze in detail which combinations are considered elite in the world of automotive numerology, where this fashion came from and how much it really costs to own a “golden” number plate. You will find out why the series AMR valued above others and what mysterious area codes like 999 or 7777 mean.

What makes a license plate a criminal?

The basis of the "thieves" status is always the region code. In the minds of the average person, Moscow is the center of decision-making, therefore the numbers of the capital region (77, 99, 97, 777, 779, 799, 977) are automatically considered more prestigious than the numbers of other subjects of the federation. However, there is also a strict gradation within the Moscow pool.

The second critical element is the letters. According to GOST, only those Cyrillic letters that have graphic analogues in the Latin alphabet (A, B, E, K, M, N, O, R, S, T, U, X) can be used in numbers. It is from this limited set that the coveted series are made up. The combination of a “cool” region code and a significant letter series creates the very effect that everyone calls a “thieves’ number.”

There is a third component - specularity or repeatability of numbers. Type numbers A 001 AA 777 or B 777 VT 99 are valued significantly higher than standard random combinations. The more sevens, fives or zeros there are in a number, the higher its market value and the perceived status of the owner.

⚠️ Warning: Buying license plates in person is a legal gray area. Formally, it is not the license plates themselves that are sold, but the right to use them through the sale of a donor car. Be careful when making transactions to avoid becoming a victim of scammers.

It's worth noting that the perception of "cool" changes over time. If in the 90s the main symbol were numbers with code 01 (Krasnodar Territory, associated with southern businessmen) or 66 (Sverdlovsk Region), today Moscow and St. Petersburg remain the undisputed leaders. Regional "thieves" codes, such as 102 (Bashkortostan) or 174 (Chelyabinsk), are also quoted, but to a lesser extent.

Legendary letter series and their meaning

The most desirable and expensive are the numbers with series that were once assigned to government agencies. The leader here is definitely the series AMR. Initially, these numbers were issued to the Presidential Administration, but now they can be found on the cars of large businessmen and high-ranking officials. Possession of such a number is a direct signal of involvement in the top government.

Other popular series also have their own origin stories:

• 🚓 EKH — the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate (formerly EKHU) series, which became a symbol of police brutality in the 2000s, is now less common, but is still recognizable.
• 🏛️ OOA, LLC, OOM - series that are often associated with the Moscow City Hall and the government of the Moscow region.
• 🛡️ KKK, KKH - codes that can often be seen on cars of law enforcement agencies and prosecutors.
• 🏎️ HKK - a series that has long been considered “economic” and was used in the government, as well as on cars with special signals.

Numbers with three identical letters deserve special attention, for example, AAA, KKK, TTT. In combination with the code 777 or 999, they turn into a real “luxury” attribute. Owners of expensive foreign cars often buy such license plates to emphasize their financial success. For example, BMW or Mercedes with number A 777 AA 777 evokes a mixed feeling of respect and irritation among others.

It is interesting that some series that were previously considered ordinary have acquired status over time. Series MRH (City Hall) or EOX also fell into the category of desirable ones. However, if you see a number with a "C" at the end (for example, SKS), be aware that this often indicates membership in the judicial system, which also adds “weight” to the driver on the road.

The magic of numbers: area codes 777, 999 and others

If the letters indicate an agency, then the region code indicates the “weight” of this agency throughout the country. An absolute favorite is the code 777. This is not just Moscow, this is “elite” Moscow. Numbers with this code were no longer issued a long time ago, which made them scarce and incredibly expensive. The presence of a triple seven at the end of the number is the pinnacle of automotive numerology.

Code 999 also refers to Moscow and appeared later to relieve the registry. Initially, it was issued for new cars, including the corporate fleet of large companies. Now this is one of the most common “cool” codes. Followed by 799 and 977. The newer the code, the easier it is to obtain legally, but the less “historical aura” it has, although triple repetitions of numbers (777, 999) are still highly valued.

For St. Petersburg, the analogue is the code 78, as well as newer ones 98 and 178. St. Petersburg numbers with beautiful combinations of numbers (for example, A 001 AA 78) cost almost the same as their Moscow counterparts, although the price gap is still noticeable. The owners of such cars are often members of the local administration or large businesses.

There is also a mythical code 000 or 001, which is attributed to the most senior officials. In reality, such region codes are not publicly issued for civilian cars. If you see a car with code 001, most likely it is either a special vehicle, or a very high-quality fake, or a car registered in the system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (after all, code 001 formally refers to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia).

Region code	Region	Status and perception
777, 999	Moscow	Elite, highest status, expensive
78, 98	St. Petersburg	Prestigious, northern capital
23, 93, 123	Krasnodar region	Business class, southern status
66, 96, 196	Sverdlovsk region	Historically "blatnoy", Ural
102, 174	Bashkortostan, Chelyabinsk	Regional elite, industry

⚠️ Attention: Installing a number with a region code that does not correspond to the place of registration of the owner is formally permitted by law, but may attract unnecessary attention from traffic police officers when checking documents.

Special series and numbers of law enforcement agencies

A separate caste consists of numbers that visually imitate belonging to the law enforcement agencies. These are the so-called “flashing lights” without flashing lights. A striking example is numbers with the abbreviation FSB, FSO, Ministry of Internal Affairs in the letter part, although such letter combinations are not officially used in civilian license plates (except for historical periods or special projects). Most often there are numbers with series that are “circulated” in these departments.

For example, series AMO often associated with customs or militia (now police). Numbers with series OKO or RMS may be found on Investigative Committee vehicles. Drivers who install such numbers on their personal Lexus or Toyota Camry, they count on the fact that other traffic participants will shy away from them, suggesting a connection with the authorities.

However, it is worth distinguishing between real operational numbers and their imitation. Real intelligence service numbers often have no area code at all (federal numbers) or have special codes (for example, 77 with special series). In recent years, there has been an active fight against fraudulent numbers, and the chance of being stopped and checked for the authenticity of documents if there is a suspicious series is very high.

There is even an unspoken hierarchy of "danger" numbers. If you see A 001 MR 97, it is better to give way, since there is a high probability that a real official or security officer is driving in the car. If you see B 666 OR 199 on the old VAZ, this is most likely just a lover of shocking, although it’s better not to mess with him.

Is it true that FSB numbers can be bought?

Officially, no. Numbers with FSB codes (for example, 777 with certain series or without a region code) are issued only to department employees. However, on the black market, offers periodically surface for the sale of cars registered to dummies within structures, along with license plates. The price of such lots can reach tens of millions of rubles, but the risk of losing money and getting a criminal case for purchasing special equipment (if the number is recognized as such) is extremely high.

How much are the most expensive rooms?

The market for criminal numbers in Russia is huge and completely unregulated by the state. Prices are determined solely by supply and demand. The most expensive number in Russia was sold for 17.5 million rubles (number A 777 OR 777). This is an absolute record, but numbers lower in rank also cost a fortune.

Average prices on the market look something like this:

• 💰 300,000 – 500,000 rub. — a number with code 777 and repeating numbers (for example, 77, 99).
• 💰💰 1 – 3 million rubles. — numbers with the AMP, LLC, OOA series on the code 777 or 999.
• 💰💰💰 5 – 10 million rubles. - “golden” combinations, such as A 001 AA 777 or A 777 AA 777.

The sale occurs through the "preponderance" scheme. You buy a car (often old and cheap) that has the required number on it. Then you register this number in your name and sell the donor car back to the seller or scrap it. Legally, you buy a car, and the number gets to you as a bonus. That is why advertisements often write “Price of a car with a number.”

It is important to understand that owning such a number is not only prestige, but also responsibility. You will be recognized, remembered, and in the event of an accident, the public response will be much higher than with the participation of an ordinary car. In addition, it is more difficult to steal a car with a criminal license plate, since it will be immediately noticed, but the risk of becoming the target of hooligans or provocations increases.

How to get a nice number legally

For those who are not ready to spend millions on resellers, there is a legal, but labor-intensive way to get the desired number. You can submit an application to the traffic police to save a specific number or try to “guess” the issue. However, you cannot simply come and ask for a “number with sevens” - the distribution is on a first-come, first-served basis or by random sampling from those available.

There is a method of "monitoring". You come to the MREO and wait until a package of documents is received for issue, containing the number you need (for example, if they hand over the license plates of a car that has been scrapped). If you are lucky and this number has not yet been reserved, you can ask for it. But this requires a huge amount of time and luck.

Another option is to purchase the right to rent a garage box or a parking space where the required number is formally “registered,” although this method also borders on gray schemes and requires competent legal support. The most reliable, but expensive way is to buy a carrier car.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

Is it possible to buy a criminal license plate officially from the traffic police?

You cannot directly buy a license plate from the traffic police window. The state fee for issuing license plates is fixed (2000 rubles for plastic, 500 for paper STS and 850 for entry in PTS). Everything else is a market relationship for the purchase of a carrier car.

What happens if you are stopped in a car with an AMR number, but without a license?

There will be no concessions. Having a criminal number does not give you immunity from the law. If you have broken the rules or do not have rights, you will be punished to the fullest extent. Moreover, attention to how the number came to be in your possession may be added to the usual fine if there are suspicions of document falsification.

Is it true that numbers with the code 777 are no longer issued?

Officially, the issuance of new numbers with the code 777 was suspended many years ago due to overcrowding of the resource. Now new cars in Moscow receive codes 799, 977, 779, 999. Therefore, the 777th code is only becoming more expensive and more elite.

Is it possible to install a criminal number on a motorcycle or trailer?

Yes, there are no legal restrictions on the type of vehicle for beautiful license plates. You can hang the AMP series on a motorcycle Harley-Davidson or on a boat trailer, if the dimensions of the license plate comply with the standards (for motorcycles - a reduced format).

Is owning such numbers a sign of corruption?

The number itself is just metal. However, a stereotype is firmly entrenched in the public consciousness that ordinary people cannot afford a room for 5 million rubles honestly. Therefore, the possession of such signs is often perceived as a demonstration of connection with power or big capital, which causes social tension.