NEWCASTLE, Calif. — Two men are behind bars in Placer County after deputies say they staged an elaborate “oil-in-the-engine” scam to cheat car sellers out of thousands of dollars.
The Placer County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) says 19-year-old Iulian Mihai and 36-year-old Decebal Mihai, both from Fremont, were arrested in Newcastle after allegedly faking car problems to trick sellers into lowering their prices.
Deputies say last week, the suspects poured oil on a car’s engine, it began smoking during the test drive and appear as if it were breaking down. The seller grew suspicious, rescheduled the meeting, and later contacted law enforcement. Working with detectives, the victim helped arrange a second meetup, where deputies arrested both men…