Statewide Vehicle Scam Leads to 3 Arrests 

May 6, 2026 – Placer County Sheriff's Office officials report that on Monday, May 4, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office arrested three suspects connected to a sophisticated “oil-in-the-engine” scam targeting victims across California.

23-year-old Gabi Tanase, 34-year-old Ionut Tanase, and 28-year-old Marius Tanase were taken into custody following an investigation led by our Property Crimes Unit. Marius Tanase also had an outstanding warrant from another county.

Last week, a Placer County resident reported an attempted scam after meeting with potential buyers for his vehicle. During the encounter, the suspects attempted to manipulate the situation to make it appear the car had a serious mechanical issue. The victim grew suspicious, declined to sell, and contacted law enforcement.

That call helped us identify a larger operation.

This scam works by suspects posing as buyers on platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. While distracting the seller, they secretly tamper with the vehicle by placing oil into areas like the coolant reservoir or tailpipe. During a test drive, the oil burns and creates smoke, making it appear the vehicle is failing. They then pressure the seller to accept a much lower price. Victims, often elderly, can lose thousands of dollars. The suspects then resell the vehicles at full value.

Detectives determined the suspects had been traveling across multiple counties, including Placer, Sacramento, Napa, El Dorado, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Tehama, targeting victims.

With the help of regional partners and the California Highway Patrol, deputies stopped the suspects near Red Bluff.

Inside the vehicle, investigators found:

• Approximately $11,000 in cash
• Evidence tied to the scam
• A bottle of oil used to carry out the fraud

A search warrant at a Sacramento County residence led to the discovery of:

• Additional vehicle titles
• Multiple mobile devices
• An unreported stolen vehicle
• More than $22,000 in cash

Detectives have already identified additional victims, including one in Los Angeles County who was scammed just days earlier.

The suspects were arrested for:

• Attempted theft by false pretenses
• Attempted elder fraud
• Vandalism
• Conspiracy

The investigation is ongoing, and additional victims may exist.

If you believe you may have been targeted in Placer County, contact us at: abliss@placer.ca.gov. If you are outside the area, please contact your local law enforcement agency.

Safety Reminder:

If you are buying or selling a vehicle online, take precautions. Meet in a safe location like a DMV office, verify paperwork, and trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is.

Source & photos: Placer County Sheriff’s Office