Car Repossessed Even Though I Have A Legal Title In My Name (nj) – What Should I Do?

Hi everyone, I’m in a really confusing situation and need advice.

I’m based in New Jersey. Back in November, I bought a car through Facebook Marketplace and paid cash to the seller. He claimed he was a private dealer, but later I found out he was not the actual owner.

When I tried to register the car, the DMV told me the title I received was fake. They gave me two options: either get the original title or go through the “improper evidence of ownership” process. I completed that entire process (it took about 4 months), including contacting the original owner, lienholder, police, and even publishing a newspaper notice.

After all that, I was finally issued a valid NJ title in my name, and I’ve been using the car for about a month.

Yesterday, I parked the car on the street, and it disappeared. I reported it to the police. I have an AirTag in the car, and it showed the location at what appears to be a repossession lot. The police checked and told me it was likely repossessed.

Here’s the confusing part:

I am the legal title holder now

As far as I know, there is no lien on the title I received

The repo is likely due to an unpaid loan from a previous owner

I went to the location, but it’s just a storage lot—no office, no people, no contact info. Even the police seemed unsure what to do next.

My questions:

Can a repo company legally take my car if I have a clean title in my name?

Does an old lien from a previous owner still apply in this case?

What’s the fastest way to find out which company/lender took the car?

Should I be contacting a lawyer right away (consumer fraud / wrongful repossession)?

Is there a risk my car will be auctioned soon?

Extra context:

I paid cash to the seller (likely a scam/fraud situation)

I followed NJ’s full legal process to obtain ownership

I now have the title and registration in my name

Any advice or similar experiences would really help. I’m trying to figure out if this is legal repossession or something I can fight.

Thanks in advance.

Location: Jersey City, New Jersey

Latest Update: I went to the repo yard and spoke with them.

They said the vehicle was repossessed because a prior owner had an unpaid loan, and the finance company ordered the repossession.

The repo company said my name is not on their records—only the previous owner’s name is.

I showed them my NJ title and registration, but they refused to release the car and told me I have to deal directly with the lender.

They also seemed unfamiliar with the NJ ownership process I went through.

At this point, I’m planning to speak with a lawyer before contacting the lender

Any guidance or lawyer recommendations (especially in NJ / near Jersey City) would really help.