5 Men Accused of Defrauding Car Sellers, Rolling Back Odometers

Nov 3

Five men are charged in what investigators describe as a coordinated vehicle fraud and odometer-tampering operation based in Minneapolis.

Auto theft detectives ultimately recovered six altered vehicles, four spare odometers and more than $53,000 in cash from the property.

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According to charges filed in Hennepin County, investigators allege the five members of the group—identified as Ionut Tudor, 29; Florin Tudor, 31; Ilie Tudor, 27; Vasile Tudor, 26; and David Tudor, 22—defrauded private sellers across Minnesota and neighboring states by staging mechanical problems, purchasing vehicles at deep discounts, and then rolling back the odometers before reselling them online. Each man is charged with felony counts of concealing criminal proceeds and theft by swindle, along with a gross misdemeanor for tampering with an odometer.

The case began July 11 when the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by investigators in St. Croix County, Wisconsin. A victim told police he sold his 2011 Toyota Tundra for $5,200—thousands less than his $9,000 asking price—after three men convinced him the vehicle had a major engine leak. Surveillance footage later showed one suspect distracting the seller while another poured oil into the radiator to stage the fake issue.

Detectives traced the truck to a home on Bryant Avenue North in Minneapolis, where they found the same vehicle being offered for sale on Facebook Marketplace under the name “Sumy Alex.” The odometer showed 128,000 miles—more than 110,000 miles lower than the figure recorded when the victim sold it. Investigators identified two men on site who provided Romanian passports as identification and linked the property to others involved in the sales.

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Days later, the suspects appeared to move their operation. Detectives found the Bryant Avenue home abandoned, trash bins full, and the vehicles gone. License plate reader data led investigators to a new location in Minneapolis on 13th Avenue Southeast, where the same vehicles—along with others—were seen parked nearby.

From July 17 to July 24, detectives conducted surveillance, documenting the group’s activity as vehicles were shuffled, cleaned, and relisted online with altered mileages. Officers executed a search warrant at the address on July 31. Inside, they found six vehicles with odometers that didn’t match Carfax or official state records, four loose odometers likely intended for swaps, and a mileage-adjustment tool used to digitally alter readings.

Among the vehicles inspected were a Ford Transit van, two Toyota RAV4s, and several Sienna minivans—all showing significant mileage discrepancies. Investigators also found receipts for odometer parts and lease paperwork tying one of the men to a new address in Saint Paul, suggesting the group was preparing to relocate when the warrant was served.

Law enforcement said the scheme extended beyond a single case. Multiple listings tied to the suspects’ associates showed cars for sale with suspiciously low mileages, and detectives believe there are additional victims in Minnesota and other states.

All five defendants remain charged by warrant and authorities continue to investigate.

The felony charge of concealing criminal proceeds carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

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