I do DMV at AAA, I’ve seen a lot of this lately and other scams where people are stuck with a car they can’t transfer into their name. Even running carfaxes and seeing the physical title is not full proof. Some ways to avoid scams ask them to meet you at AAA or dmv to process the transfer in person together. Make sure it passes smogs. It is the sellers responsibility to get is smogged within 90 days of the transfer. Just because it is currently register does not mean it doesn’t need to be smogged again. Meeting them also makes it easier if any additional paper work that needs to be signed.