ARREST: Car Buying Scam Suspect
September 15, 2024 – Placer County Sheriff's Office officials report that they have issued a warning about a car buying scam 
in February. Now, we have a suspect in custody thanks to the work of our detectives.
“The men and women of the Sheriff’s Office are intensely committed to helping the victims of crime. They are driven to catch those responsible for victimizing our community and return those lawbreakers to Placer County to face the consequences of their actions. I am proud to say that because of their work that there’s been an arrest in this case.” – said Sheriff Wayne Woo
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗺 –
- The victim lists a car for sale on marketplace, craigslist, etc.
- The suspect arranges to meet with the seller and arrives with at least two others to “inspect” the vehicle.
- One of the suspects “inspects” the engine, while the other suspects distract the victim.
- The suspect pours oil in the radiator and on top of the engine manifold.
- During a test drive the vehicle will begin to smoke and the suspects will open the hood to show there is oil on the radiator and tell the victim the engine is “blown”.
- The suspect then gives an extremely low-ball offer to take the vehicle off the sellers’ hands.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 –
The Placer County Sheriff’s Office first received reports of these types of scams at the beginning of this year. While investigating it was determined the same group of suspects was likely linked to cases being investigated by several agencies including the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office, Stockton Police Department, Riverside County Sheriff's Office, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office, San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office and Corona Police Department.
The information gathered, extensive follow up and data sharing from other agencies allowed the Placer County District Attorney’s Office to file three cases of felony vandalism and felony theft by false pretense against Michael Tanase, Constatin Mustata and Florin Tanase.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 –
On July 23rd, 2024, Michael Tanase had a run-in at a casino in Oklahoma. The Chickasaw Lighthorse Police Department arrested Tanase for being drunk in public/disturbing the peace. They learned about Tanase’s warrant upon his arrest.
Our deputies went and picked him from Love County, Oklahoma. He’s now in the South Placer Jail.
Constatin Mustata and Florin Tanase remain outstanding on their warrants.
𝗔 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 –
The reported crimes in Placer County have slowed down, but we encourage everyone to be vigilant. If you are in the process of selling a vehicle and something seems suspicious don’t feel pressured to sell.
Source: Placer County Sheriff's Office
Related: Placer County Sheriff Issues a Public Service Announcement on Car Buying Scam
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