I would make an educated guess that someone reminded the alleged Gary guy that selling a VIN tag is a federal felony. Therefore his posts are (were) the only visible crime committed, complete with his admission, evidence of photos and old ebay auction information. That is probably why he isn't talking now and has had his posts deleted.
Oh, and yes, buying a VIN tag is also a federal felony, as is installing it on a body it didn't come on originally.
If you, as the new "owner" of the VIN tag have a shop install on another bodyshell for you, that adds another count of Conspiracy as well, and the shop people that install it are added to the indictment list.
The buyer is essentially an innocent victim if the car turns out to be a VIN-swapped rebody. The auction house has no liability based on their boilerplate contract with buyers/sellers. So the buyer would have to sue the seller in a civil action and try and get his $$$ back and he would have to bring in the alleged Gary guy to testify as to his selling of the VIN tag which would be difficult since he can claim his 5th ammendment right against self-incrimination.
Sounds fun doesn't it?
Now I know why I went to law school all those years ago...just so I could figure out what goes on at carshow/auctions.
