3 arrested in statewide vehicle scam

Three men were arrested Monday in connection to an "oil-in-the-engine" statewide scam. A Placer County resident reported an attempted scam after meeting potential buyers for his vehicle. According to the Placer County Sheriff's Office, the suspects attempted to make it appear the car had serious mechanical issues during the encounter. The victim declined to sell his vehicle after becoming suspicious and contacted law enforcement. According to the Sheriff's Office, the scam involves suspects posing as buyers on platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, and attempting to tamper with the vehicle by placing oil in areas like the coolant reservoir or tailpipe while the seller is distracted. During a test drive, the oil burns and creates smoke, as if the vehicle is failing. The suspects then pressure the seller to accept a lower price to then resell the vehicle at full value. Gabi Tanase, 23, Ionut Tanase, 34, and Marius Tanase, 28, were taken into custody near Red Bluff following an investigation led by the Sheriff's Property Crimes Unit with assistance from regional partners and the California Highway Patrol. The Sheriff's Office reported detectives determined the trio had been traveling across multiple counties, including Placer, Sacramento, Napa, El Dorado, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Tehama, targeting victims. According to the Sheriff's Office, evidence tied to the scam, including $11,000 in cash and a bottle of oil, were found in the suspects' vehicle. A search warrant at a Sacramento County residence revealed additional vehicle titles, multiple mobile devices, an unreported stolen vehicle and more than $22,000 in cash. The trio have been charged with attempted theft by false pretenses, attempted elder fraud, vandalism and conspiracy. Marius Tanase also had a felony warrant out of Shasta County for theft by false pretenses. According to the online in-custody information, all three are scheduled to be arraigned at 1 p.m. Wednesday. The Sheriff's Office confirmed the investigation is ongoing and additional victims, including one in Los Angeles County who was scammed just days earlier, have been identified. Placer County residents who believe they may have been targeted can contact the Sheriff's Office at abliss@placer.ca.gov. "If you are buying or selling a vehicle online, take precautions," the Sheriff's Office said. "Meet in a safe location like a DMV office, verify paperwork and trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is."