The Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) has dismantled a sophisticated “oil scam” operation following a targeted investigation in the Township of Uxbridge. The Uxbridge Oil Scam Fraud 2026 case involves a 38-year-old Romanian national who allegedly defrauded a local seller by sabotaging a vehicle during a Facebook Marketplace transaction. Authorities revealed that the suspect was not only operating an illegal automotive flipping scheme in Ontario but is also currently a wanted fugitive by the San Jose Police Department in California, highlighting the international scale of the criminal activity.
The incident at the center of the Uxbridge Oil Scam Fraud 2026 began on April 27, when an Uxbridge resident listed their vehicle for sale on Facebook Marketplace. According to investigators, the victim agreed to meet with a prospective buyer for a test drive. Following the drive, while one suspect distracted the owner, a second suspect allegedly poured motor oil onto the vehicle’s engine components. The pair then claimed the engine was “blown” and pointed to the fresh oil as evidence of a terminal mechanical failure. Panicked by the prospect of a worthless car, the victim agreed to sell the vehicle on the spot for a price substantially lower than the original market value.
The Uxbridge Oil Scam Fraud 2026 took a dramatic turn on May 1, when investigators were alerted that the exact same vehicle had been re-listed on Facebook Marketplace. The new listing featured an asking price near the original value, but the odometer reading had been tampered with to show approximately half of the vehicle’s actual mileage. Acting quickly, Durham police tracked the listing and arrested a suspect later that day. Upon processing the individual, it was discovered that he was wanted on multiple outstanding warrants in the United States, suggesting a history of similar fraudulent activities across North America.
The accused in the Uxbridge Oil Scam Fraud 2026 now faces a laundry list of serious charges, including fraud over $5,000, mischief, possession of property obtained by crime, and altering an odometer. Police are also investigating the use of unauthorized license plates found during the arrest. The Durham Regional Police North Division is using this case as a public warning for residents selling high-value items online. “This ‘oil scam’ is designed to create a sense of urgency and fear in the seller,” a spokesperson noted, advising residents to always have a second person present during sales and to never accept a low-ball offer based on a sudden mechanical issue discovered by the buyer.
The Uxbridge Oil Scam Fraud 2026 serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with private vehicle sales. Detectives believe there may be more victims in the Greater Toronto Area who have fallen prey to similar tactics. The suspect’s alleged involvement with the San Jose Police Department indicates a highly mobile criminal element that utilizes the anonymity of social media marketplaces to find vulnerable targets. By sharing the details of this specific fraud, the DRPS hopes to prevent other Durham residents from losing thousands of dollars to similar sabotage-based scams.
Anyone who may have had a similar experience or has further information regarding the Uxbridge Oil Scam Fraud 2026 is urged to contact Detective-Constable Kane at the Durham Regional Police Service. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers, where tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward. As the investigation continues, authorities are working with international agencies to address the suspect’s outstanding warrants in California while ensuring he faces the full weight of the Ontario justice system.
