An 18-year-old man from Texas, Daniel Lopez Jr., was arrested in Las Vegas by investigators from the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for allegedly attempting to sell a stolen vehicle with a switched Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The arrest took place on October 14, 2021, during an undercover operation conducted by the DMV Compliance Enforcement Division.
Lopez was apprehended while trying to finalize a cash sale of a pickup truck that had been reported stolen in Texas. The prospective buyer in Las Vegas was unaware that the vehicle's VIN had been altered. "The buyer in this case was unaware that when they attempt to register or title the vehicle at DMV, the stolen vehicle will be impounded and sent back to the jurisdiction from which it was stolen," said J.D. Decker, Chief of the Nevada DMV Compliance Enforcement Division. "The victim will be out any cash they exchanged for the purchase."
Investigations revealed that Lopez engaged in online private party sales with Nevada residents using vehicles with switched VINs to avoid detection. He was booked into Clark County Detention Center on charges including Possession/Transfer of a Stolen Vehicle and Intent to Utter Fictitious Bill/Note, along with Obtaining Money Under False Pretenses. If convicted, he could face one to five years in prison, fines up to $10,000, and restitution for each charge.
Before his arrest, Lopez reportedly completed another sale of a stolen vehicle for approximately $18,000 in cash. "Unfortunately, this type of scam has become more common," Decker noted. "We are advising the public to be very careful when purchasing a vehicle from a private party." He recommended taking vehicles to a DMV inspection station before completing any purchase as an effective method for detecting fraudulent sales.
Decker highlighted that this inspection service is free and does not require an appointment. DMV inspectors can verify if vehicles have been reported stolen and identify issues such as improper registration or title. Consumers can also check for stolen vehicle status on nicb.org, operated by the National Insurance Crime Bureau.