ST. CHARLES, Mo. – Two men are accused of odometer fraud in St. Charles. They allegedly rolled back the odometer mileage for at least two vehicles they intended to sell through Facebook marketplace, a felony offense in Missouri.
Prosecutors have charged Samir Baciu, 21, and Darus Costache, 32, in the investigation, both with one count of odometer fraud and forgery.
The St. Charles Police Department says that Baciu and Costache are both Romanian nationals who live in Kansas City, but they also conducted some Facebook marketplace sales in the St. Louis area.
Police say one call from an apparent victim earlier this month prompted further investigation.
The victim told police that he or she had purchased a truck from two Romanian men in St. Louis County last month after connecting through Facebook Marketplace. After purchasing the truck, the victim used Carfax and discovered the odometer mileage had been rolled back.
The victim shared information about the marketplace sale to St. Charles police, who then discovered the same men behind the sale listed another vehicle on Facebook Marketplace.
Detectives conducted an operation to meet the men about purchasing the vehicle that had been advertised for sale on Facebook Marketplace. When detectives met with the men, they checked the odometer and learned it had also been rolled back.
Baciu and Costache are both behind bars in St. Charles County on a $25,000 cash-only bond.
The St. Charles Police Department says it continues to “actively investigate” this incident and has reason to believe there are other victims of forgery and vehicle odometer fraud. If you or someone you know have a purchased a vehicle from either suspect, contact the St. Charles Police Department at 636-949-3300.
