A 17-year-old student lost his college savings and a vehicle he purchased due to an alleged car scam combined with an apparent Department of Motor Vehicles error. This incident, as ABC7 RSS Feed reported, resulted in the repossession of the vehicle months after the purchase. For Irvine residents considering vehicle transactions, this situation underscores the importance of thorough title verification.
Arrod Berjis, a high school senior interested in vehicle mechanics, bought a 2019 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG for $58,000. He told ABC7 RSS Feed he saw the purchase as an opportunity to repair the car, use it, and then sell it for a profit, adding to his college fund.
After three months of repairs, Berjis had a prospective buyer willing to pay $75,000. The night before the planned sale, the car was gone. Believing it had been stolen, he contacted the Los Angeles Police Department, which directed him to a towing company. There, he learned the vehicle had been repossessed.
Berjis said the towing company indicated they were ordered to take the car by Carvana. He stated that the title he received from the DMV and the Carfax report he obtained showed no lien holder.
Before completing the purchase, Berjis said he went to the DMV with the seller to verify the title's legitimacy. A DMV clerk, he recounted, informed him multiple times that the vehicle had no lien and appeared clear.
Three months later, both his money and the car were gone. When Berjis returned to the DMV seeking answers, the original title was taken. Berjis told ABC7 RSS Feed that a DMV representative informed him that a title transfer might overlook previous paperwork, potentially releasing a lien incorrectly. This could result in an issued title that is later deemed void or invalid due to such a mistake or potential fraud.
The DMV stated it could not comment due to an ongoing investigation. Carvana had not responded to requests for comment. The Los Angeles Police Department is also investigating, but Berjis noted that the seller's identity and documents proved fake, limiting the investigation.
Berjis expressed hope that Carvana would either return the vehicle or compensate him for the $58,000 loss, which represented years of college savings. He stated this situation would "definitely delay that and hold it back" regarding his plans for higher education.
This incident highlights steps individuals, including Irvine residents, can take to protect themselves. It is recommended to obtain at least one vehicle history report, or preferably more, to check a vehicle's record. Furthermore, visiting the DMV to ensure a title has no existing liens or salvage status is advised, despite potential past errors.