8:05 am, September 16, 2026
A group of men accused of using ‘dirty oil’ to scam car sellers into accepting lower offers have appeared in court to deny any wrongdoing.
It is alleged that five Romanian nationals deliberately sabotaged vehicles with oil and electrical interference in order to make them appear as though they had serious mechanical problems.
The quintet appeared before Norwich Magistrates Court last week, where they all entered not guilty pleas to a range of fraud offences.
Prosecutors told the court heard that the scam targeted private car sellers who had listed vehicles across Norfolk and Kent.
It is said that the men allegedly tampered with electrical cables and poured oil over the engine or into the cooling system.
The alleged interference caused vehicles to develop warning lights, fail to start properly or appear to leak oil.
The fraudsters are then said to have used the apparent faults to pressure sellers into accepting significantly reduced prices, before later selling the vehicles on for their true value.
The Southend Echo reports that more than £26,000 was allegedly lost as a result.
During the hearing, Marius Tanase, 19, of Ley Street, Ilford, pleaded not guilty to four charges of fraud by false representation.
Paun Florin, 24, of Eddy Close, Romford, denied three charges of the same offence.
Meanwhile, Dagenham-based duo Artur Tanase, 22, and Elvis Zorila, 37 denied two counts each, while Mihai Cattalin, 31, of Ordnance Road, Enfield, pleaded not guilty to one charge.
All five have been granted bail and are banned from entering Norfolk except for court appearances.
They are due to appear at Norwich Crown Court for a trial preparation hearing on October 6.