If the seller of a vehicle signs over and transfers a vehicle title to a buyer, then, shortly thereafter, before the original buyer is able to legally transfer this original title over to himself, the seller applies for a duplicate title, thereby preventing the original buyer from legally transferring the title to himself, what penalties, if any, would the seller of the vehicle face?

I have problem where I purchased a vehicle from someone. He signed the title over to me, but before I had a chance to go to the DMV and transfer this title over to me, he (the seller), went to the DMV and applied and was granted a duplicate title. Now, I am unable to transfer the original title over to myself because the seller applied and was granted a duplicate title.

Makes sense? Now, I am out of the cash that I paid the seller and he legally has the title (although I have the car). I an unable to drive the car of course, because it is not registered. So, basically, it's worthless.

The person who sold me this vehicle is a mechanic.

What can I do? Can you help?

Rm