Similar situation with my accountant, she was given a car by her fella, but on breaking up, he wanted the car back, claiming she had said she had terminal cancer and the idea was that when she croaked it in a years time he would get the car back.

She had trader her car in against it and he had paid the remainder.

She had the log book and the car, and spoke to the police who said because he had paid for it, she would be strongly advised to change the locks (he had a key) to prevent him talking the car back before the legal side was sorted.

BEWARNED it was an extreme case, but she lost out to the tune of 50k with court costs etc - has nearly ruined her - all for a car that is worth about 10k now lol!!

He also had contacts in the media and got her dragged over the mages of the major national and local papers (double page spreads in most cases!!) so all her clients and neighbours got a good read!!