Peterborough County OPP – Three Arrested in Attempted “Dirty Oil” Scam (Names Released)

Pete Fisher
3 hours ago
• Categories: Police Blotter

The Peterborough County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have arrested three individuals after receiving a report of an attempted fraud from a resident of Selwyn Township.

On Saturday February 7, 2026, the Peterborough County OPP received a call from an individual reporting that three individuals had attempted to scam them in to selling their vehicle for a cheap price due to supposed motor issues.

The complainant advised that they had a vehicle listed for sale online and had someone contact them to come view the vehicle. A time was arranged and a vehicle containing three individuals attended the complainant’s residence. The complainant advised that the three individuals looked the car over and then requested to take the vehicle for a test drive. After returning from a short drive, the suspects quickly pointed out oil all over the engine compartment as well as from the exhaust pipe. The suspects advised that the vehicle needed an excess amount of work to repair it but would still purchase it but for a much lower price than what was being asked.After turning down the offer, the suspects continued to offer lowball amounts until the complainant advised them that the vehicle was no longer for sale. The complainant, who knew there were no issues with the vehicle, contacted the OPP.

OPP Officers stopped a vehicle matching the description they had been provided, and all three occupants were arrested. The driver was unable to provide a driver’s licence or insurance for the vehicle and the plates that were attached were not registered to the vehicle. The vehicle that was being driven had recently been purchased and was associated with a similar occurrence in another region.

Marius ZORILA (age 31) of Pickering ON., was arrested and charged with;

• Fraud over $5,000

• Mischief under $5,000

• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000

• Driver fail to surrender licence

• Fail to have insurance card

• Drive motor vehicle, fail to display two plates

Constantin TANASE (age 26) of Scarborough ON., was arrested and charged with;

• Fraud over $5,000

• Mischief under $5,000

• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000

Michael TANASE (age 22) of Ajax ON., was arrested and charged with;

• Fraud over $5,000

• Mischief under $5,000

• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000

The three were release with conditions and are to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Peterborough on March 10, 2026.

The OPP urge residents to remain vigilant and report any frauds, suspicious offers, or suspicious contractor activity. If you believe you have been targeted by a scam, contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.

For more information on how to recognize and protect yourself from scams, visit //www.ontario.ca/page/identify-scam-or-fraud 

To serve our province by protecting its citizens, upholding the law and preserving public safety.

Peterborough County OPP values your contribution to building safe communities. If you have information about suspected unlawful activity, please visit Crime Stoppers at: stopcrimehere.ca or call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).