Man arrested in GTA dirty oil scam is wanted by police in California

Mogos Constantin is facing fraud charges in Durham Region. (Durham Regional Police)

A man who is allegedly linked to Romanian organized crime in California has been arrested in Uxbridge, Ont., after allegedly tricking one person into selling their used car for less than the asking price.

Durham Regional Police say the victim who had listed their vehicle for sale on Facebook Marketplace met with a potential buyer on April 27.

After test-driving it, the buyer allegedly poured oil onto the engine while his companion distracted the seller.

“The suspects then claimed the engine was blown and leaking oil, significantly reducing the value of the vehicle,” police said.

In the end, the victim agreed to sell their vehicle for less than the original asking price.

Investigators say they believe the incident is a case of a “dirty oil scam,” in which fraudsters tamper with used vehicles they intend to buy to make a lower offer.

• READ MORE: Ontario man tricked into selling car for $1,000 in ‘dirty oil scam’

Five days later, Durham police said the vehicle was reportedly listed on Facebook Marketplace at nearly the original price, and the odometer reading was about half of its legitimate mileage.

Officers located and arrested the suspect the same day without incident.

Mogos Constantin, 38, of Romania, has charged with fraud over $5,000, mischief, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, traffic in property obtained by crime over $5,000, altering the odometer of a motor vehicle, and using a plate not authorized for a motor vehicle. The charges have not been tested in court.

According to police, Constantion, who also goes by the alias “Catalin Ionascu,” is wanted on multiple warrants by the San Jose Police Department (SJPD) in California.

A 2023 SJPD release announced the arrest of Constantin and another suspect in connection with 25 criminal cases allegedly associated with Romanian organized crime.

The crimes include armed carjacking, armed robbery and grand theft, and targeted elderly members of the Asian and Indian communities, the police service said in a release.