LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A Las Vegas repair shop owner faces criminal charges after allegedly forging documents to steal a customer’s BMW through a fraudulent lien sale process, according to Nevada DMV officials.
The case began when a car owner dropped off his BMW at Star Auto Care in August. By November, the vehicle was gone — legally seized and sold through what DMV investigators say was a fabricated lien sale.
“He got a call a few weeks later from his finance company, ‘Hey, we received notice that your vehicle is subject to a lien sale by this repair shop,’” said Chief JD Decker with Nevada DMV Compliance Division.
DMV uncovers fraudulent engine replacement claim
Chief JD Decker said his team investigated after learning the repair shop had submitted a lien sale packet claiming the customer failed to pay for engine replacement.
“When we talked to the customer, the customer said well I never authorized the replacement of my engine. I don’t know what he’s talking about,” Decker said.
After the lien sale was completed, shop owner Khaldoun Ezam allegedly sold the car’s title to his brother, who then sold it back to the Ezam’s wife, according to Decker.
Decker explained that Nevada law allows repair shops and tow companies to apply to seize vehicle ownership through the DMV lien sale process if repair costs aren’t paid.
“They can seize ownership by proxy through the DMV,” Decker said.
Investigation reveals engine was never replaced
When DMV investigators tracked down the BMW, they discovered the engine had never been replaced and didn’t need replacement.
During questioning, “he basically explained to me his fictitious story about how the person didn’t pay,” Decker said.
DMV officials arrested Ezam, who now faces forgery and theft charges. Decker said lien sale fraud cases are more common than the public realizes.
“We have a lot more lien cases than the public would be happy about,” he said.
Additional cases under investigation
The car has been returned to its rightful owner.
Ezam has made bail and is scheduled to appear in court next month, according to court records. His attorney did not respond to requests for comment.
Decker said his team is investigating four other lien cases filed by the same shop owner.
To protect against similar fraud, DMV officials recommend always using licensed repair shops, checking on repair progress regularly, and never paying the full amount upfront. The DMV maintains a list of licensed repair shops on its website.
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