Stolen Cars With Swapped VINS Sold In Bay Area: CHP

LIVERMORE, CA — A Livermore man was arrested on suspicion of selling stolen vehicles, according to the California Highway Patrol.

In July, investigators from CHP’s Northern Foreign Export and Recovery (NoFEAR) team were alerted that a recently registered vehicle presented inconsistencies in the registration process, according to CHP. Investigators learned that the Vehicle Identification Number did not match the car’s true VIN, and was likely switched to hide the fact that it was stolen.

Investigators identified a suspect in Livermore, whose name CHP is currently withholding due to the ongoing investigation.

Authorities placed the suspect’s home under surveillance, and obtained search warrants.

NoFEAR members went to the home, where they say they found additional stolen vehicles with switched VIN numbers. The suspect was taken into custody.

In a news release, CHP warned anyone who buys a used vehicle privately to use caution, especially with deals that seem too good to be true. Operations often bring in stolen vehicles from other states, then switch their identification numbers, and sell them to unsuspecting buyers. When the new owner tries to register the vehicle, they must return the car. Since most of these transactions are conducted with cash, the seller cannot be contacted, and the buyer is at a total loss.

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