Purchased 2000 Land Cruiser from Odometer Fraud seller. NEED HELP.

[Rush 2112]

Omg, just read thru the first 8 pages and then your post… so angry and sad! So so sorry this is happening again and needs to be stopped. Couple thoughts here, may be just takes time for the OP to respond to your request. I would think he would like to be helpful in your quest but some may just wanted to move on too. Appears he sold the LC and brought a GX, but on the first page OP posted the pics showed the lic # from that you may be able to find a complaint filed at the San Diego DMV? There’s also a copy of the repair showing the VIN but likely that’s a fake number.
Another thought would be start a new thread since this is old and many may have seen it while not paying attention to it… with a similar but stand out subject title “ Purchased 2000 LC found odometer roll back and title altered needs help same previous scammer MOFO” or let’s let’s get these MOFO! There really need to be a group effort on this as lots of experiences here and more importantly these scammers are targeting out beloved LC, it won’t stop and sooner or later authorities will get involved. The LC is going up in value, yesterday BAT just sold a clean 2002 212k mi for $37k so they will continue doing this scam. Hang in there, we’ll get them!

Thanks for the input. I think I will start a new post. New to the forum and still learning to navigate.

 

[Rush 2112]

sorry didn't mean to come off as would of could of kinda of thing. Just wanted to see how good these people are that they can make a 340K miles LC look like one with 64K miles. Could you post some pics of the engine bay, underneath where the suspension/rack is and interior? the original poster that got scammed, his LC looked super clean, they did a good job hiding that thing from age.

No worries. I'm going to start a new thread and try to get more eyeballs on this. I really want to stop these guys.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Or, keep the info in one thread for others searching. Can also move this to the classifieds since that's where people shop.

 

[Patron100LC]

Just an opinion but I don't think it's about the vehicle's condition, or if it's worth the price or not.

It's about an organized gang that is defrauding people by committing a federal offence, and how to avoid, and most important, how to put them away.

If they gave you a falsified title, and that said title was printed by the CA DMV, then this is very serious and goes deep into tag agencies as well (not surprising, knowing a lot of Mickey Mouse tag agencies. Miami is FULL of them).
If it was a really good photoshopped doc printed on fancy paper, they did their research and it's very worrying as well.

Carfax, shop receipts, dealer invoices, all that can be faked by a 12 YO kid with a cheap laptop and an Adobe subscription.

A PPI won't find anything wrong on the docs, since they won't check those. They won't find mileage inconsistency either. They will find a scratch, a dent, tire wear and maybe a smokey exhaust. Most PPI companies that I deal with in a weekly, and sometimes daily manner, just come with a basic code reader, a basic paint gauge, a tire gauge and a camera/phone. Their reports are vague to say the least.

To those that were bitten by this organization, I believe it's not gonna be easy getting any restitution, besides the warm feel of revenge if / when these people fall. If it becomes too common, eventually the Feds will intervene, good luck waiting.

Just my 0.2c:
To future buyers, specially those walking around with $16k cash in their pockets (nothing wrong with cash buying btw) the Proper way to conduct the transaction is meeting at a tag agency parking lot, with all necessary tools (scanner, flashlight, magnet, UV light, whatever) and after the deal is struck, going in the tag office to finalize and exchange docs for $$). A single carfax report costs something around $30-40 or so, not bad idea to get one.

If it's a fraud attempt, they won't show up.
If the seller doesn't have the time to deal with your demands, maybe walk away.
If it's too good to be true, probably it is.

Also, this Forum is a flowing wealth of info, and ppl here are willing to help if they can. I'll be happy to run VINs if I get the chance to visit here and find the need or someone asks.

 

[Rush 2112]

Just an opinion but I don't think it's about the vehicle's condition, or if it's worth the price or not.

It's about an organized gang that is defrauding people by committing a federal offence, and how to avoid, and most important, how to put them away.

If they gave you a falsified title, and that said title was printed by the CA DMV, then this is very serious and goes deep into tag agencies as well (not surprising, knowing a lot of Mickey Mouse tag agencies. Miami is FULL of them).
If it was a really good photoshopped doc printed on fancy paper, they did their research and it's very worrying as well.

Carfax, shop receipts, dealer invoices, all that can be faked by a 12 YO kid with a cheap laptop and an Adobe subscription.

A PPI won't find anything wrong on the docs, since they won't check those. They won't find mileage inconsistency either. They will find a scratch, a dent, tire wear and maybe a smokey exhaust. Most PPI companies that I deal with in a weekly, and sometimes daily manner, just come with a basic code reader, a basic paint gauge, a tire gauge and a camera/phone. Their reports are vague to say the least.

To those that were bitten by this organization, I believe it's not gonna be easy getting any restitution, besides the warm feel of revenge if / when these people fall. If it becomes too common, eventually the Feds will intervene, good luck waiting.

Just my 0.2c:
To future buyers, specially those walking around with $16k cash in their pockets (nothing wrong with cash buying btw) the Proper way to conduct the transaction is meeting at a tag agency parking lot, with all necessary tools (scanner, flashlight, magnet, UV light, whatever) and after the deal is struck, going in the tag office to finalize and exchange docs for $$). A single carfax report costs something around $30-40 or so, not bad idea to get one.

If it's a fraud attempt, they won't show up.
If the seller doesn't have the time to deal with your demands, maybe walk away.
If it's too good to be true, probably it is.

Also, this Forum is a flowing wealth of info, and ppl here are willing to help if they can. I'll be happy to run VINs if I get the chance to visit here and find the need or someone asks.

Great info. I started a new thread hoping to get more eyeballs on this. Can you move your response to my "Buyers beware" thread? Thanks

 

[Rush 2112]

Nobody is should-ing you. He's asking a question and I'm also curious about the answer. Your answer might help others and/or help figure out the exact MO of these people. What is the condition of the rest of the vehicle? Are they doing significant work on the interior/paint/under-carriage to make the vehicle appear cleaner/lower mileage?

Sorry for the curt response, as you can imagine I'm a little cranky. It is a super clean no rust vehicle. It's not still in the wrapper but could pass for a 22 yr old vehicle with 64k. I started a new thread hoping to get more eyeballs on this "Buyers beware" Thx

 

[jclark]

This wasn’t being sold by a seller Costa Mesa early this year was it?

 

[Rush 2112]

This wasn’t being sold by a seller Costa Mesa early this year was it?

Don't know??

 

[Rush 2112]

Just an opinion but I don't think it's about the vehicle's condition, or if it's worth the price or not.

It's about an organized gang that is defrauding people by committing a federal offence, and how to avoid, and most important, how to put them away.

If they gave you a falsified title, and that said title was printed by the CA DMV, then this is very serious and goes deep into tag agencies as well (not surprising, knowing a lot of Mickey Mouse tag agencies. Miami is FULL of them).
If it was a really good photoshopped doc printed on fancy paper, they did their research and it's very worrying as well.

Carfax, shop receipts, dealer invoices, all that can be faked by a 12 YO kid with a cheap laptop and an Adobe subscription.

A PPI won't find anything wrong on the docs, since they won't check those. They won't find mileage inconsistency either. They will find a scratch, a dent, tire wear and maybe a smokey exhaust. Most PPI companies that I deal with in a weekly, and sometimes daily manner, just come with a basic code reader, a basic paint gauge, a tire gauge and a camera/phone. Their reports are vague to say the least.

To those that were bitten by this organization, I believe it's not gonna be easy getting any restitution, besides the warm feel of revenge if / when these people fall. If it becomes too common, eventually the Feds will intervene, good luck waiting.

Just my 0.2c:
To future buyers, specially those walking around with $16k cash in their pockets (nothing wrong with cash buying btw) the Proper way to conduct the transaction is meeting at a tag agency parking lot, with all necessary tools (scanner, flashlight, magnet, UV light, whatever) and after the deal is struck, going in the tag office to finalize and exchange docs for $$). A single carfax report costs something around $30-40 or so, not bad idea to get one.

If it's a fraud attempt, they won't show up.
If the seller doesn't have the time to deal with your demands, maybe walk away.
If it's too good to be true, probably it is.

Also, this Forum is a flowing wealth of info, and ppl here are willing to help if they can. I'll be happy to run VINs if I get the chance to visit here and find the need or someone asks.

It's for sure a real title. Just yr and odometer date were changed. They are using a template for repair invoices and just changing the vehicle info and dealer info.I think the Carfax is real only vehicle information altered.

 

[Rush 2112]

Even if miles aren't as advertised. Is it a good 100 series or junk. Condition trumps miles.

Posted pics on new thread. Tell me what you think.

Did you do any sort of inspection before you purchase the so called 64K miles vehicle ? At that mileage the condition should be pristine. 340K miles will have leaks and worn interior. They can swap odometers but unless they do a full restoration, there’s no way to make a 340k miles vehicle look/feel like one with 64K miles.

I posted some pics on my new thread.

Nobody is should-ing you. He's asking a question and I'm also curious about the answer. Your answer might help others and/or help figure out the exact MO of these people. What is the condition of the rest of the vehicle? Are they doing significant work on the interior/paint/under-carriage to make the vehicle appear cleaner/lower mileage?

I posted some pics on my new thread. Check them out let me know what you think. Thx

 

[2001LC]

Post a link here, to your new thread?

 

[Rush 2112]

Post a link here, to your new thread?

R

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

Nov 4, 2025

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...

• Rush 2112
• Replies: 67
• Forum: Bad Sellers - Buyer Beware

 

[Vadar]

I would be concerned about the title make sure it’s not a salvage title. Find a Toyota mechanic do a complete hands on physical assessment. Then let it go you got worked it happens don’t take it out on your LC experience.

 

[Rush 2112]

I would be concerned about the title make sure it’s not a salvage title. Find a Toyota mechanic do a complete hands on physical assessment. Then let it go you got worked it happens don’t take it out on your LC experience.

Thanks. Title is clean.