I have had 4 different people call me in the last 2 weeks trying to buy titles and VIN tags for Buicks. One was looking for a 1970 GS coupe title and VIN, one for a 1971 Skylark convertible and a couple of Skylarks. I wonder what gives? Anyone in Minnesota watch out for a Red 1970 GS or clone coupe that might be up for sale. That caller said it had a black bucket interior, keystones and no vinyl top. He said it was near mint with a 350 in it and just needed a title so he could sell it. He said the VIN was cut out of the dash and the cowl tag was gone.(!!!??????) The 71 ragtop allegedly was beige with a black interior and also was nice except no titles or tags. Just thought I would pass it along to anyone local, too. Hmmmmm. Highly illegal, I think.
You might want to do a SEARCH for that car on this site!:eek2: Seems to me, that car sounds "familiar", as I thought I saw a post about a Skylark with "Keystones", that was reported STOLEN, with a REWARD if it was found!uzzled: I'm serious, I sure thought I read about it here.o No:uzzled: Also, you should get the "4 people's" names and numbers who are trying to BUY the "VIN's", and give their names to the proper authorities (local police, state police). What if that was YOUR car that someone had stolen and they were trying to SELL it with "Different" VIN #s? I would be VERY :af:, if I ever found out that my car was Stolen, the VIN was changed, the car was SOLD, and SOMEONE ELSE "KNEW" about it, and DIDN'T TELL the POLICE!:Smarty: You never know, you might get a reward, anyway, if it turns out to be a Serious crime (Grand Theft Auto) and you help catch the criminals!:TU:
In that situation you should say yes but ask for a phone number to call back. Then let the cops set them up and deal with it. Just be polite friendly and positive. don't ask for to much info. a first name n phone number is enough.
The local deputy sheriff said there is nothing they can do unless you can prove that they buy a VIN and attach it to the wrong car. As a guy with two little kids I can assure you that I won't be running a sting operation any time soon. I gave them the phone numbers anyway though he said they will NOT act on them.
Well, if "Barney Fife" won't do anything, you need to contact STATE Police, or actually, look in the Blue Pages in your phone book (Government section), as Automotive Crimes are FEDERAL, anyway!:Smarty: YOU don't have to run the Sting Operation, Chris, that's the F.B.I.'s JOB! You just have to tell them WHO is SCAMMING someone else (with fake VIN's and registration!), and THEY will INVESTIGATE (and arrest and press charges, if necessary)!:Smarty: It's anonymous, too! You don't have to tell them who you are, but if they want to take you seriously, you should give the Feds your name/number, in case they have questions for you.:TU: I work with FBI (occasionally, with Airport Security). They're the BEST!:Smarty::TU::bglasses:
Just imagine if you were one of those unsuspecting buyers purchasing one of those cars? I think the best thing to do is notify the authorities on what's going on. I'm sure you won't have to involve yourself too deeply into the investigation, if anything becomes of it. We all know how expensive this hobby/passion can be and I'm sure nobody would ever want to get shafted on a car that has never been, especially for the amount of money they're bringing in these days.
That's because he is lazy. He is obligated to act when he hears of people attempting to commit a crime (or conspiring to commit a crime or anything else). -Bob Cunningham
Call the State Police and ask if they have any auto theft task forces. and give them a call. We have about seven state poolice auto theft task forces in Illinois. I don't think that you will get much response form the FBI, either. Your Sheriff obviously isn't familiar with auto theft laws, nor is he very proactive. Check here, http://www.dps.state.mn.us/patrol/_private/text/autotheftprev/patroltheft.htm It says that the entire MN. State Patrol has only one full time auto theft investigator , good luck getting anyone to help you,
As our cars increase in value, the crooks will put their forgery skills to work. Forums like the V8 Board are the best defense against it. I suggest a seperate category at the V8 Board to keep track of forgeries and fraud so they don't get lost in the big sea of "The Bench". Once the word gets around, potential Buick buyers would probably use this resource regularly to protect themselves, and by extenstion, the special interest Buick community at large. Just my 2 cents worth........ Dan
Yeah, I saw that "1 investigator" on the state patrol site too. I am still going to give them the numbers to see if they can/will do anything more than the county guy... I have no idea whether these are stolen cars and am guessing it is more likely that it is a case of someone with a titleless ragtop and another of a GS clone trying to be passed off as the real thing! I am more upset about the GS though. That is why I made the post-- anyone local on the board should look carefully if the see either a beige 71 convertible with black interior or a red with black bucket interior 70 GS 350 or clone with keystones they may not be what you think they are... Be careful!
Regardless of whether these people are "caught" or not, Chris, WE owe you Thanks for WARNING us of "Misrepresented Cars"!:bglasses: Watch Ebay for these cars, too!:Smarty: That might be where they END UP, if those guys think they can make BIG MONEY that way (with a Fake VIN, and sell it to a guy who doesn't know the Difference!):af: As Chris has already warned: BE CAREFUL, guys!:TU:
