East Bay men arrested in Placer County car scam, law enforcement says

(KRON) — Two men from Fremont were arrested last week for their alleged involvement in a scam to trick a car owner into selling their vehicle for less than it was worth.

Authorities began investigating the scam after a Newcastle resident suspected that two prospective buyers put oil in their car’s engine before a test drive to make the car appear broken, according to the Placer County Sheriff’s Office.

“During the test drive, the car suddenly began to smoke — something it hadn’t done before,” the Placer County Sheriff’s Office said. “This well-known scam tricks victims into believing their vehicle has a catastrophic problem, in which the all-too-willing suspects are able to take off the victim’s hands for a steeply reduced price.”

The car owner told the suspects, 19-year-old Iulian Mihai and 36-year-old Decebal Mihai, to come back another day. The car owner then contacted authorities. During the second meeting, the men were arrested by the Placer County Sheriff’s Office.

“A search of their vehicle revealed counterfeit documents and evidence of identity theft,” the sheriff’s office said. “Further investigation by the Regional Auto Theft Task Force showed that the 4Runner they drove to Newcastle had also been obtained in a similar scam in the Bay Area. The original owner had been tricked into selling her car for less than 25% of its value.”

The Mihais were booked into South Placer Jail for charges of theft by false pretenses, conspiracy, possession of counterfeit registration and identity theft. Each of these crimes could result in felony convictions, the sheriff’s office said.

“If you’re meeting someone to buy or sell a vehicle or any other large item, please take precautions,” the sheriff’s office said. “You’re always welcome to use the parking lot at any of our sheriff’s office locations for a safe exchange.”