Starting a new thread. Transferring original post from "fakes" under General Info Forum. Here is the link to the original "Fakes" thread: http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...d=1#post899556
Here is the original question:
In my case, there was a counterfeit car created that had its VIN altered to match my original car's VIN. I believe the current owner was sold on the provenance and believed the car to be the original. He thought he did his homework, as the paperwork included a modern letter from the original owner that had the car in 1975. However, what the new owner did not know is that this "original" owner had written a dozen letters (approximately) on authenticating counterfeit cars, where the real one might have been in the US in a collection out of sight, and then they would introduce a counterfeit car in Europe. Also, this counterfeit car raced at the Le Mans Classic for a couple of years, so this modern provenance only added to the illusion that this counterfeit car might be the real car. You can say that this current owner was "probably" duped by not doing enough research. So, although duped into believing he has the real car, the issue is that he continues to "represent" that he has the real car in Europe./
So, it is up to the owner of the counterfeit car to prove his car is the real thing, when he sells it. However, his counterfeit has the correct VIN number stamped in it (although not well done), and he will (steal) the documented racing provenance from the real car. The two pieces of "paper" he has to authenticate the counterfeit is the "original owners modern letter" and also the original Wagenpass (logbook)(which the original owner kept whenever he sold an authentic car to someone else). So, the next owner of this counterfeit may be easily duped into believing they are purchasing the authentic car.
Although it is not necessarily my battle, having this counterfeit out there and known, especially given the Le Mans Classic entries, can affect the value and desirability of my car, if a potential buyer is concerned about a known (counterfeit) car that is also out there, being represented as the original. This counterfeit car can also shed doubt with a potential buyer of my car (although my car is not for sale), as they may not be 100% sure as to which is the real car, as they can inspect the car in front of them, but may not have the opportunity to inspect the other car (that is represented as real).
As a result, what strategies (including doing nothing) do you suggest that I should consider, in order to help the world understand which is the counterfeit car and which is the real car? And what legal remedies might I have, when the counterfeit car resides in Germany and I live in the US?
I am happy to share what I have done so far, but I would like to hear your ideas first. Thanks in advance!