BUYERS BEWARE!!! Title altering and odometer rollback 100 series LC's

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R

Rush 2112

Joined
Oct 26, 2025
Threads
2
Messages
52
Location
Canby, Or
On 10/21/2025 I responded to a Craigslist ad for a 2002 Lexus LX 470 One owner with 64,000 miles. I met the seller in Vancouver, WA, I live just across the river in Oregon. The seller gave me a copy of the Carfax and copies of recent repairs that included Timing Belt and brakes. He showed me his driver license that matched the name and address on the front of the title. All vin #s on the vehicle match the title and the odometer read 64,000. A few days later I was looking through the owners manual and noticed it was for a 1999 not a 2002. Odd. I then ran my own Carfax and it came back for a 1999 with 340K miles. I contacted California DMV and they confirmed the vehicle is a 1999 and was not listed as stolen, but that the seller had altered the year and odometer date on the front of the title. I filed an online fraud report with Ca. DMV and was told it would be 4-6 weeks before they even look at it.
I came to this forum looking to see if it's possible to rollback the odo or if the whole cluster was replaced. I stumbled onto a thread by jsphaguirre basically explaining the same happened to him back in February of this year. He posted a timing belt invoice that is exactly, except for dealer and vehicle, as the one I received from my seller. There is also a post from reduc saying the same thing happened to him.
I did not buy this vehicle as a daily driver. I was going to park it in my shop, crack open a beer, and tinker with it. Financially it hurts but not the end of the world. Mainly my pride is hurt.
If anyone can help me get in contact with jsphaguirre or reduc it would be greatly appreciated. I have sent both private message on this forum but no response. They both filed Ca. DMV fraud reports and I was hoping to get in touch with one or both of their investigators. I really want to put these MOFO's in jail before they do this to someone else. Thanks
 
Rush 2112 said:
On 10/21/2025 I responded to a Craigslist ad for a 2002 Lexus LX 470 One owner with 64,000 miles. I met the seller in Vancouver, WA, I live just across the river in Oregon. The seller gave me a copy of the Carfax and copies of recent repairs that included Timing Belt and brakes. He showed me his driver license that matched the name and address on the front of the title. All vin #s on the vehicle match the title and the odometer read 64,000. A few days later I was looking through the owners manual and noticed it was for a 1999 not a 2002. Odd. I then ran my own Carfax and it came back for a 1999 with 340K miles. I contacted California DMV and they confirmed the vehicle is a 1999 and was not listed as stolen, but that the seller had altered the year and odometer date on the front of the title. I filed an online fraud report with Ca. DMV and was told it would be 4-6 weeks before they even look at it.
I came to this forum looking to see if it's possible to rollback the odo or if the whole cluster was replaced. I stumbled onto a thread by jsphaguirre basically explaining the same happened to him back in February of this year. He posted a timing belt invoice that is exactly, except for dealer and vehicle, as the one I received from my seller. There is also a post from reduc saying the same thing happened to him.
I did not buy this vehicle as a daily driver. I was going to park it in my shop, crack open a beer, and tinker with it. Financially it hurts but not the end of the world. Mainly my pride is hurt.
If anyone can help me get in contact with jsphaguirre or reduc it would be greatly appreciated. I have sent both private message on this forum but no response. They both filed Ca. DMV fraud reports and I was hoping to get in touch with one or both of their investigators. I really want to put these MOFO's in jail before they do this to someone else. Thanks
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I know this is probably already known to most of you but:

Spend the $45 and run your own Carfax. Better yet have your buddy at the dealership to run it for free.

If you are truly buying a one owner you should be buying directly from the original owner on the title. Make sure there is nothing written on the back of the title. Occasionally you may buy from a wholesaler that bought it from original owner, still a one owner, but you need bill of sale from original owner to wholesaler then wholesaler to you.

If they present you with repair bills with a big blue "Paid" stamp on the bottom please beat the crap out of them for me ;)
 
Would be interesting if you can reconnect with the other 2 and discuss the appearance of the seller...age, race, build, etc. Is it the same seller doing this repeatedly?
 
rexington14 said:
Would be interesting if you can reconnect with the other 2 and discuss the appearance of the seller...age, race, build, etc. Is it the same seller doing this repeatedly?
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My guy was 6' sh, slim, well dressed, dark complexion, accent. Appeared middle eastern to me.
 
Rush 2112 said:
I know this is probably already known to most of you but:

Spend the $45 and run your own Carfax. Better yet have your buddy at the dealership to run it for free.

If you are truly buying a one owner you should be buying directly from the original owner on the title. Make sure there is nothing written on the back of the title. Occasionally you may buy from a wholesaler that bought it from original owner, still a one owner, but you need bill of sale from original owner to wholesaler then wholesaler to you.

If they present you with repair bills with a big blue "Paid" stamp on the bottom please beat the crap out of them for me ;)
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Yeah people who want to send me their own car fax scares me….ill do it, but I always tell them to buy their own. I have seen this a lot…plenty of places to get car faxes for cheap…..
Rush 2112 said:
He used a fake id.
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Crazy…police have to be called..
rexington14 said:
Would be interesting if you can reconnect with the other 2 and discuss the appearance of the seller...age, race, build, etc. Is it the same seller doing this repeatedly?
Click to expand...
Police need to be called..
 
KDAWG97m3 said:
Yeah people who want to send me their own car fax scares me….ill do it, but I always tell them to buy their own. I have seen this a lot…plenty of places to get car faxes for cheap…..

Crazy…police have to be called..

Police need to be called..
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Not much the police can or will do. I have a physical description of the guy and a phone number that no longer works. I'm sure he's on his way back to Ca. to pick up another car.
 
As mentioned in the other thread, the OP @jsphaguirre already got rid of that 100 series back on the same month. Shows a new owner twice in same month. No idea who bought it from him, or if he got any resolution from the state of CA regarding the issue.

Pretty sure he just sold it for cheap, or traded it in for something else..
 
Patron100LC said:
As mentioned in the other thread, the OP @jsphaguirre already got rid of that 100 series back on the same month. Shows a new owner twice in same month. No idea who bought it from him, or if he got any resolution from the state of CA regarding the issue.

Pretty sure he just sold it for cheap, or traded it in for something else..
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Oregon DMV won't touch my title because it's been altered. They said I need to get a new Ca. title. Ca. DMV won't touch it until fraud investigation is done.
 
Rush 2112 said:
Oregon DMV won't touch my title because it's been altered. They said I need to get a new Ca. title. Ca. DMV won't touch it until fraud investigation is done.
Click to expand...

That sucks. Can you explain how was the title altered? For example here in NC the title document is very unique - special paper, marks, seals, etc. Would be difficult to fake / reprint if you've ever seen one before. Like faking a dollar bill.
 
rexington14 said:
That sucks. Can you explain how was the title altered? For example here in NC the title document is very unique - special paper, marks, seals, etc. Would be difficult to fake / reprint if you've ever seen one before. Like faking a dollar bill.
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All they altered was the Yr. and odometer date on the original title. You can't even tell it's been changed.
 
Rush 2112 said:
On 10/21/2025 I responded to a Craigslist ad for a 2002 Lexus LX 470 One owner with 64,000 miles. I met the seller in Vancouver, WA, I live just across the river in Oregon. The seller gave me a copy of the Carfax and copies of recent repairs that included Timing Belt and brakes. He showed me his driver license that matched the name and address on the front of the title. All vin #s on the vehicle match the title and the odometer read 64,000. A few days later I was looking through the owners manual and noticed it was for a 1999 not a 2002. Odd. I then ran my own Carfax and it came back for a 1999 with 340K miles. I contacted California DMV and they confirmed the vehicle is a 1999 and was not listed as stolen, but that the seller had altered the year and odometer date on the front of the title. I filed an online fraud report with Ca. DMV and was told it would be 4-6 weeks before they even look at it.
I came to this forum looking to see if it's possible to rollback the odo or if the whole cluster was replaced. I stumbled onto a thread by jsphaguirre basically explaining the same happened to him back in February of this year. He posted a timing belt invoice that is exactly, except for dealer and vehicle, as the one I received from my seller. There is also a post from reduc saying the same thing happened to him.
I did not buy this vehicle as a daily driver. I was going to park it in my shop, crack open a beer, and tinker with it. Financially it hurts but not the end of the world. Mainly my pride is hurt.
If anyone can help me get in contact with jsphaguirre or reduc it would be greatly appreciated. I have sent both private message on this forum but no response. They both filed Ca. DMV fraud reports and I was hoping to get in touch with one or both of their investigators. I really want to put these MOFO's in jail before they do this to someone else. Thanks
Click to expand...
As I went back and read the post “ Purchased 2000 Land Cruiser from Odometer Fraud seller. NEED HELP” by jsphaguirre noticed he signed off as Joseph, his real name likely is Joseph Aguirre. On page 3 of his post, he mentioned that he works at Salton Sea area while that also make sense as he drove his family home upon picking up the LC home from San Diego traveling about 100 miles. Not sure based on that you may track him down, he may have filed a DMV fraud report already under his name with the CA lic plate 9GPJ236 from the picture on page 1. On page 4, appears Spring Valley smog check may have additional info on the seller as several smog checks were performed there ie records from smog stations. Also Joseph mentioned a contact name and phone number matching the same description of your seller. A lot of work ahead just my thoughts for now. Finally is it possible for Craigslist to support you with additional info on the seller as this is no longer same scenario as Joseph, his title was not altered he could and have sold his truck yet you cannot. A deleted Craigslist post may be helpful if someone have contacted the ad while blackout as suspicious but have gotten useful contact information like page 7 previous post. Don’t give up, this is a knowledgeable site you took the first step to seek help and the scammers gotten bold and will lead to their arrest!
 
41togo said:
As I went back and read the post “ Purchased 2000 Land Cruiser from Odometer Fraud seller. NEED HELP” by jsphaguirre noticed he signed off as Joseph, his real name likely is Joseph Aguirre. On page 3 of his post, he mentioned that he works at Salton Sea area while that also make sense as he drove his family home upon picking up the LC home from San Diego traveling about 100 miles. Not sure based on that you may track him down, he may have filed a DMV fraud report already under his name with the CA lic plate 9GPJ236 from the picture on page 1. On page 4, appears Spring Valley smog check may have additional info on the seller as several smog checks were performed there ie records from smog stations. Also Joseph mentioned a contact name and phone number matching the same description of your seller. A lot of work ahead just my thoughts for now. Finally is it possible for Craigslist to support you with additional info on the seller as this is no longer same scenario as Joseph, his title was not altered he could and have sold his truck yet you cannot. A deleted Craigslist post may be helpful if someone have contacted the ad while blackout as suspicious but have gotten useful contact information like page 7 previous post. Don’t give up, this is a knowledgeable site you took the first step to seek help and the scammers gotten bold and will lead to their arrest!
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Wow!!. Thank you. I had googled "Joseph Aguiirre Salton Sea" and didn't really come up with anything. Also had my wife search Facebook. It would be really helpful to get a hold of him or reduc.
 
So @Rush2112 if you follow Joseph’s post, he found a GX460 on Facebook and asked the site for opinions. Since then he purchased the vehicle and changed the wheels, lol good for him! That was in March. Between the Facebook sale in Nevada and the info on car-fax showing the VIN his black GX460, may be you could find him. Good luck !


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Rush 2112 said:
On 10/21/2025 I responded to a Craigslist ad for a 2002 Lexus LX 470 One owner with 64,000 miles. I met the seller in Vancouver, WA, I live just across the river in Oregon. The seller gave me a copy of the Carfax and copies of recent repairs that included Timing Belt and brakes. He showed me his driver license that matched the name and address on the front of the title. All vin #s on the vehicle match the title and the odometer read 64,000. A few days later I was looking through the owners manual and noticed it was for a 1999 not a 2002. Odd. I then ran my own Carfax and it came back for a 1999 with 340K miles. I contacted California DMV and they confirmed the vehicle is a 1999 and was not listed as stolen, but that the seller had altered the year and odometer date on the front of the title. I filed an online fraud report with Ca. DMV and was told it would be 4-6 weeks before they even look at it.
I came to this forum looking to see if it's possible to rollback the odo or if the whole cluster was replaced. I stumbled onto a thread by jsphaguirre basically explaining the same happened to him back in February of this year. He posted a timing belt invoice that is exactly, except for dealer and vehicle, as the one I received from my seller. There is also a post from reduc saying the same thing happened to him.
I did not buy this vehicle as a daily driver. I was going to park it in my shop, crack open a beer, and tinker with it. Financially it hurts but not the end of the world. Mainly my pride is hurt.
If anyone can help me get in contact with jsphaguirre or reduc it would be greatly appreciated. I have sent both private message on this forum but no response. They both filed Ca. DMV fraud reports and I was hoping to get in touch with one or both of their investigators. I really want to put these MOFO's in jail before they do this to someone else. Thanks
Click to expand...
The person on the front of my title traded it into Tracy Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram on 8/29/24.
Tracy CJDR listed it on Openlane where it was purchased by Caliz Auto Works shortly after.
Caliz sold it through Manheim California Auction on 2/19/25 to Arellanos Auto Sales.
I contacted Manheim and they will not give me any info on Arellanos.
I found a business registry showing them in Hesperia, Ca. but no phone number.
I did find a Artllanos Auto Sales and contacted them. As soon as I mentioned Arellanos he immediately said "It's not me, it's not me" he told me he's had at least five calls this year regarding Arellanos and altered titles.
I contacted Ca. DMV and was told to wait for my investigator to contact me.
 
Rush 2112 said:
Oregon DMV won't touch my title because it's been altered. They said I need to get a new Ca. title. Ca. DMV won't touch it until fraud investigation is done.
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How do they know it is altered, did you tell them? To move forward, I would try another DMV location and just get the title into your name. Wait a bit, and then play dumb and try to get a correct title re-issued. You know its not stolen, you aren't doing anything nefarious, you're just trying to get through the system that is filled with red tape and people who really don't care about this crappy situation you are in. CA DMV is the WORST. In CA, when they do VIN verification on out of state vehicle title transfers, all I have ever seen them do do is look at the vin tags and the odometer. Never have I seen anyone cross reference date of manufacture with model year on the title.
 
EWheeler said:
How do they know it is altered, did you tell them? To move forward, I would try another DMV location and just get the title into your name. Wait a bit, and then play dumb and try to get a correct title re-issued. You know its not stolen, you aren't doing anything nefarious, you're just trying to get through the system that is filled with red tape and people who really don't care about this crappy situation you are in. CA DMV is the WORST. In CA, when they do VIN verification on out of state vehicle title transfers, all I have ever seen them do do is look at the vin tags and the odometer. Never have I seen anyone cross reference date of manufacture with model year on the title.
Click to expand...

X2 that is what I was thinking.
 
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