Buyer Beware: A highly customized 2003 Hummer H2 operating in the Denver, CO area is currently at the center of an active felony title washing investigation. This case serves as a stark warning to buyers purchasing used, custom vehicles through private sales.
The Vehicle
The vehicle in question is a heavily modified 2003 Hummer H2. It features bright electric blue paint, 26-inch chrome DUB wheels, LED halo headlights, and a highly customized interior complete with a Tesla-style dash screen, massive audio subwoofers, and embroidered leather seats. While visually striking, its paperwork is hiding a major legal issue.
How The Title Washing Scam Works
The State of Colorado Motor Vehicle Investigations Unit (MVIU) and the Attorney General are actively investigating this vehicle for Felony Forgery. “Title washing” occurs when scammers use forged applications and fabricated sale dates to illegally obtain a “clean” title for a stolen, salvaged, or disputed vehicle. This process “washes” away the vehicle’s true, problematic history, tricking unsuspecting buyers and insurance companies into thinking it is a legitimate asset.
The Risk to Buyers
Purchasing a title-washed vehicle carries immense financial and legal risks. In this specific case, the fraudulent Colorado title has been flagged for administrative voiding, and a fraud alert has been issued to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). Anyone who purchases or insures a title-washed vehicle faces an immediate total loss of funds, as the state legally views it as stolen property and will actively move to seize the asset without compensating the buyer.
Always run a comprehensive VIN check and verify titles directly with your local DMV before handing over cash for a private-party vehicle sale.
