In October 2025, police executed a search warrant at a residence in south Edmonton following multiple traffic complaints. As a result of the investigation, nine vehicles related to the residence were seized. After speaking with previous owners, officers learned the vehicles had been fraudulently purchased and determined that six male suspects used distraction style tactics to damage the vehicles, or make them appear seriously damaged, during sales transactions. The suspects then coerced the sellers to sell the vehicles for a price much lower than their actual value. These vehicles were then fraudulently registered and used in other crimes.
Following the investigation, six men, Constantin Dumitru, 26, Tiberius Grigore, 34, Cosmin Mustata, 26, Remus Rafaila, 32, Orlando Turcan, 24, and Florin Constantin, 39, are facing a combined total of 33 charges including, mischief over $5,000, uttering a forged document and fraud over $5,000.
Investigators have learned that in many instances, the accused buyers arrived as part of a group of two to three males who distracted the seller and tampered with the vehicle. The group will then point out the fault, referring to issues such as a damaged head gasket or engine oil leak into the coolant reservoir, and argue with the seller to lower the price. The suspects have been known to argue with sellers for up to two hours before eventually coercing the seller into selling the vehicle for a significantly lower price. In each case, the vehicles did not have any of the presented concerns prior to meeting with the accused buyer(s) and associates.
“Often, when the buyers arrive, they are very animated, tell sellers they are siblings (one of whom is desperate for transportation), and will try to send the seller into their home to get an item or distract the seller’s attention, during which they tamper with or damage the vehicle,” says Const. Shiva Shunmugam. “The buyers may then claim to call a mechanic, who confirms the damage and the high price to fix the vehicle, as a means of intimidating the seller to sell it for a lower price.
“In some occurrences, the buyers have also tried to force cash into the seller’s hand, asked to keep the license plate or simply drove away with the seller’s license plate before they could remove it.”
Police believe the suspects deliberately purchased vehicles in various jurisdictions, including Edmonton, Calgary, Sherwood Park, Leduc and Thorsby to avoid raising suspicions. None of the sellers were aware they had been victimized until they were notified by police. Officers believe many of these vehicles were later registered with forged documents, including lower odometer readings, in order to commit additional offences.
To date, police have identified at least 13 complainants and, to warn the public and encourage any additional complaints to contact police, are releasing photos of the accused who remain wanted on province-wide warrants.
Florin Constantin, 39
Constantin Dumitru, 26
Cosmin Mustata, 26
Orlando Turcan, 24
Anyone with information related to the outstanding suspects’ whereabouts is encouraged to call the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.p3tips.com/250.
If you plan to sell a used vehicle, investigators are encouraging Edmontonians to remain cautious and consider available options:
- You do not need to sell your vehicle if you are uncomfortable dealing with a buyer. You can end the interaction or insist on dealing with only one buyer, instead of a group.
- Be wary of any claims of serious mechanical issues with the vehicle if you have no previous knowledge of it or if your vehicle was recently checked with no concerns found.
- Do not meet in a secluded place or invite strangers into your home. Suggest meeting during the day at a public location, ideally with video surveillance, such as one of the EPS Buy and Sell Exchange Zones. Alternatively, you can offer to meet at an automotive garage of your choice where the vehicle’s quality can be assured.
- Have someone come with you when you meet the buyers. If you cannot arrange for someone to accompany you, let friends or family know where you are going, what time you are meeting and all the details about who you are meeting. Let your contact know that everything is ok.
- Ask the buyer for photo ID. Take a photo of it for your reference.
- Take screenshots of your advertisements, the advertisement ID number, the buyer's contact information, and all communications.
- You may purchase a CARFAX report so that you are aware of any major services or issues the vehicle has had over its lifespan and can confirm the odometer reading is accurate when the bill of sale is drafted.
- Fill out the bill of sale and ensure the buyer fills out their respective portion of the bill of sale and signs it. Take a photo of the bill of sale for your records. A standard bill of sale form is available to download for no charge on the Government of Alberta website (https://www.alberta.ca/standard-bill-sale).