3 Arrested In ‘Oil-In-The-Engine’ Car Sale Scam Targeting Elderly Across California

Authorities in California say three people have been arrested in connection with a statewide “oil-in-the-engine” scam targeting vehicle sellers.

The Placer County Sheriff’s Office said a local resident last week reported an attempted scam after meeting with potential buyers for a vehicle he was selling. The victim reported the suspects attempted to make it appear as though the vehicle had a mechanical issue, but he became suspicious and declined the sale, instead contacting law enforcement.

The sheriff’s office said that investigation led to the discovery of a much “larger operation.” The scam involves suspects posing as car buyers on platforms like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. While one suspect distracts the seller, another secretly places oil into areas like the tailpipe or coolant reservoir. During a test drive, the oil burns and creates smoke, giving the appearance of a mechanical issue. The suspects then use that to pressure the victim to sell for a lower price.

The sheriff’s office said the victims, who are frequently elderly, can lose thousands of dollars, while the suspects resell the vehicle at full value.

Detectives learned the suspects had been running the scam across multiple counties, including Placer, Sacramento, Napa, El Dorado, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Tehama. The suspects were identified as 23-year-old Gabi Tanase, 34-year-old Ionut Tanase, and 28-year-old Marius Tanase.

With assistance from regional law enforcement partners and the California Highway Patrol, the suspects were stopped near Red Bluff.

Inside their vehicle, deputies found a bottle of oil and other evidence tied to the scam along with $11,000 in cash. A search warrant executed at a Sacramento County residence turned up additional vehicle titles, an unreported stolen vehicle, multiple mobile devices and more than $22,000 in cash.

All three suspects were arrested on May 4 for attempted theft by false pretenses, attempted elder fraud, vandalism, and conspiracy.

The sheriff’s office said the investigation is ongoing, and victims are still being identified. Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of the scam in Placer County is asked to contact the Placer County Sheriff’s Office, while those in other jurisdictions are asked to contact their local law enforcement agency.

“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.”