What started as a traffic stop near Red Bluff has turned into a big break in what deputies say is a sophisticated car‑buying scam that has been hitting private sellers all over California. Placer County investigators allege three suspects posed as buyers, deliberately made cars smoke during test drives to rattle owners, then pushed them into accepting steep, cash‑only offers. The arrests came after a seller reported the scheme, and follow‑up searches turned up cash and other evidence, according to authorities.
According to the Placer County Sheriff's Office, deputies stopped a vehicle on Monday and arrested 23‑year‑old Gabi Tanase, 34‑year‑old Ionut Tanase and 28‑year‑old Marius Tanase on suspicion of attempted theft by false pretenses, attempted elder fraud, vandalism and conspiracy. Deputies said they found roughly $11,000 in cash inside the vehicle during the stop.
How the oil‑in‑the‑engine con works
Investigators say the con usually unfolds during what looks like a normal test drive. The supposed buyers distract the seller, while an accomplice quietly pours engine oil or another fluid into the engine or coolant. Once the car starts to smoke, the buyers claim the vehicle is badly damaged and offer a deeply reduced cash price, according to local reporting. News Channel 3 and other outlets have documented similar rings around the state, and the Federal Trade Commission's Consumer Sentinel data shows reported fraud losses topped $12.5 billion in 2024, underscoring how costly scams can be for victims. FTC
Evidence and reach
Investigators told the Placer County Sheriff's Office that the suspects had been traveling through Placer, Sacramento, Napa, El Dorado, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Tehama counties. Detectives say they have already identified additional victims, including one in Los Angeles County. According to the sheriff's post, a subsequent search warrant at a Sacramento County residence turned up additional vehicle titles, multiple mobile devices, an unreported stolen vehicle and more than $22,000 in cash. The investigation remains active, and anyone who believes they were targeted in Placer County is asked to contact [email protected].
Charges and next steps
The case is still at the suspicion stage. Deputies have turned over evidence to the Placer County District Attorney's Office, which will decide whether to file formal charges. If prosecutors move forward, the defendants could face felony counts tied to fraud and theft as investigators continue working to identify victims in multiple counties.
How sellers can protect themselves
Law enforcement and consumer advocates urge private sellers to take a few basic precautions: meet buyers in a public place, bring a friend along, verify the buyer’s driver’s license and never allow an unsupervised test drive. If you think someone tried to run a scam on you, save any texts, photos or paperwork, report the incident to local law enforcement and file a complaint with the FTC so investigators can link related reports.
