Bought A 2007 Nissan 350z From A Guy, Paid In Full, And Still Haven’t Received The Title... What Should I Do?

Hey everyone, I need some advice. I live in Boise, Idaho, and back in May 2025 I bought a 2007 Nissan 350Z from a guy who at the time was in San Jose, California.

Here’s what happened:

• He said the title was in his mom’s name in California, but claimed it was a “clean title” and that I could register it in Idaho once he mailed it.
• I paid a $500 deposit on Venmo, then flew out to San Jose to pay the rest and pick up the car. We both signed California and Idaho bills of sale.
• He sent me a photo of the title (in his mom’s name), said the DMV was processing it, and promised to mail it.

Since then:

• He’s given repeated excuses, delays, and stalling messages. Claims he’s trying to get a duplicate title from South Dakota (Rapid City, Pennington County Treasurer) because somehow the original title ended up there.
• I’ve contacted him multiple times from May to now (September 2025), but I still don’t have the title.

Why this involves multiple states:

• California: Original title is registered to his mom there.
• South Dakota: He claims the title or paperwork ended up there for some reason (I think because the car got state reffed, so he didnt want to have to deal with that?)
• Idaho: That’s where I live and where I need to register the car.

I have:

• Bills of sale
• Texts documenting all his promises, delays, and excuses
• Photo of his ID and the title
• Proof of the venmo payment, and a photo of him counting the cash in his house and the bill of sale on the table

Questions:

1. How do I officially report this as title fraud or theft?
2. Should I start with the Boise police, DMV, or both?
3. How do I handle the fact that the title involves three states?
4. Any tips for starting a bonded title process in Idaho?

I’m just trying to get this car legally titled in my name and protect myself from fraud. Any advice would be appreciated.

Location: Boise, ID - San Jose, CA - South Dakota