Interesting VIN fraud story

[Michael J.]

It seems NCRS did its' job here:

http://www.buffalonews.com/city/communities/twin-cities/article973799.ece

[Roy S.]

Re: Interesting VIN fraud story

Here is some more of the same type actually includes the story you pointed out as the Corvette fraud.

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2012/08/01/chevelle-corvette-cloners-busted-charged-with-felonies/?refer=news

[Rick A.]

Re: Interesting VIN fraud story

Yes, it is good the car was "found out" - but, the real problem I have is the "current" owner claiming fraud. When you read the article closely you find out car had been stolen and issued a GA state "vin tag/foil" and he knew that! So, when was the FAKE VIN tag applied and by whom is the question? IF the car had been presented with GA state-issued foil it would NOT have been declared a counterfeit and may quite possibly earned a TOP FLIGHT. But, again owner is crying fraud is not a collector or anything - HE BUYS AND SELLS CARS FOR A LIVING! He was looking to turn a huge profit on a "desirable car".

[Roy S.]

Re: Interesting VIN fraud story

Yes, it is good the car was "found out" - but, the real problem I have is the "current" owner claiming fraud. When you read the article closely you find out car had been stolen and issued a GA state "vin tag/foil" and he knew that! So, when was the FAKE VIN tag applied and by whom is the question? IF the car had been presented with GA state-issued foil it would NOT have been declared a counterfeit and may quite possibly earned a TOP FLIGHT. But, again owner is crying fraud is not a collector or anything - HE BUYS AND SELLS CARS FOR A LIVING! He was looking to turn a huge profit on a "desirable car".

[Kevin G.]

Re: Interesting VIN fraud story

NCRS's future, GCPD (Global Corvette Police Department)?

[Roy S.]

Re: Interesting VIN fraud story

NCRS's future, GCPD (Global Corvette Police Department)?

[Michael J.]

Re: Interesting VIN fraud story

+1, NCRS has to stand on that integrity, no matter what.

[Jim D.]

Re: Interesting VIN fraud story

From the article: "Ernst, 65, is no neophyte. He has restored and resold six vintage Vettes, selling each at a profit - at least if only money is counted.

"Somewhere along the line, the car might have been stolen and recovered," Ernst said. "It had this weird sticker on it, 'GA7558.'?"

Since he's restored/sold several Corvettes prior to this one, he can't claim ignorance. He also acknowledges that it had a state issued VIN sticker when he bought it. Bottom line, he didn't do his homework and now he's whining and wants to blame someone else for HIS mistake.

[Kevin G.]

Re: Interesting VIN fraud story

Roy, I was not trying make light of the story. Simply stating that the NCRS is "THE" place to go, when expert advice is needed! I am in full agreement with the processes and procedures! These calls must be made for the benefit of all!

As a matter of fact, I attended the meet in Ontario, lets just say the folks did a great job of keeping it quiet! I never heard a word.

[Roy S.]

Re: Interesting VIN fraud story

From the article: "Ernst, 65, is no neophyte. He has restored and resold six vintage Vettes, selling each at a profit - at least if only money is counted.

"Somewhere along the line, the car might have been stolen and recovered," Ernst said. "It had this weird sticker on it, 'GA7558.'?"

Since he's restored/sold several Corvettes prior to this one, he can't claim ignorance. He also acknowledges that it had a state issued VIN sticker when he bought it. Bottom line, he didn't do his homework and now he's whining and wants to blame someone else for HIS mistake.

[Michael W.]

Re: Interesting VIN fraud story

Cars with state or province issued VINs are not a rarity on our cars, and the NCRS does not penalize cars with such registration during judging. The process in which the re-issued VINs are obtained and how they appear presently varies widely from state to state and province to province. In this particular case, the car appears to have been stolen when still almost new(ish). Is there a reliable source of what a 1960's state issued VIN from GA or elsewhere would look like?

I've heard first handed from reliable sources that it was once possible to have GM re-issue a VIN tag under certain circumstances. I have no idea whether these tags were identical to the originals or would be picked up today as being counterfeit.

[Roy S.]

Re: Interesting VIN fraud story

I've heard first handed from reliable sources that it was once possible to have GM re-issue a VIN tag under certain circumstances. I have no idea whether these tags were identical to the originals or would be picked up today as being counterfeit.

Mike,
The GM reissued plates are different for different time frames; we require the owner also provide the GM documentation for the reissued VIN. They look nothing like the original VIN plates.

[Jim D.]

Re: Interesting VIN fraud story

I saw the look on his face when he was informed. Let’s assume "It had this weird sticker on it, 'GA7558.'?" How many of you would have known it was related to a “State issued VIN” How many of you will now look at every sticker on a car a little different? If this guy knew the VIN was fake, and is spending money chasing a pipe dream he should have cut his losses a long time ago.

How many would know? I'm willing to bet that the vast majority would. Also, the "GA7558" from that "weird sticker" would also be on the title/registration as the VIN of the vehicle, NOT the number off the replacement tag.
This guy paid almost $50K for a project car, dumped another $75K into it and he never checked any numbers anywhere including the ones on the title/registration? Be serious.

[Roy S.]

Re: Interesting VIN fraud story

How many would know? I'm willing to bet that the vast majority would. Also, the "GA7558" from that "weird sticker" would also be on the title/registration as the VIN of the vehicle, NOT the number off the replacement tag. Be serious.

Jim, I'm very serious. Unfortunately your assumption is incorrect. Unless you know more about this car than you have told us. The title did not carry the GA7558 number it carried the VIN on the non GM issued VIN plate. Had the title carried the GA7558 as an identification number we would have been looking for the GA7558 number in the judging process.

[Domenic T.]

Re: Interesting VIN fraud story

I read some of the coments in the article and it seems that if a car was totaled or stolen and recovered it is a bastard.

Some cars were replaced before the stolen one was recovered and sold back to the public LEGALY.

I think that there are more vettes on the road that were totaled by the insurance company than we care to admit.

Back in the early 70's a C2 vette could be bought in good running condition for under 2K with no damage.

If it were damaged in a wreck and the cost of repair was more than the value of the car it was totaled by the insurance co.

In many cases the damage was not major and the car could be bought back for a few hundred dollars, why does that make the car a bastard?

Now that they are worth a bit mor than 2K they are not totaled because they are worth fixing.

A totaled car was only a matter of it's worth at the time and there are more vettes out there now that have MUCH MORE damage than the ones that were totaled back then.

DOM