Seems like a lot of effort just to get away with not insuring and registering a clunker - wouldn’t it be hard to make legitimate-looking plates and registration stickers? Or maybe not, I don’t know.
I have actually bought and sold a few vehicles on craigslist. In addition to signing over the title, I make sure both of us have a bill of sale - you know, I, chiroptera, sold xxx vehicle to Joe Buyer for $xxxx on <date>. Signed by both buyer and seller. Plus calling my insurance agent to cancel the policy. Wouldn’t this all get me off the hook if someone tried shenanigans by copying my plate?