The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has charged two brothers from Raleigh, Valentin and Vasile Virlizanu, in connection with a multimillion-dollar money laundering and fraud operation.
Valentin Virlizanu was arrested on Sunday by the Pender County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from Raleigh Police. His brother, Vasile Virlizanu, remains at large, and authorities have issued a warrant for his arrest. The SBI is appealing to the public for help in locating him.
The brothers face several felony charges, including conspiracy, money laundering, obtaining property by false pretense, and unauthorized use of a government computer to commit fraud.
According to the SBI, the fraudulent scheme involved two business fronts: Specialty Vehicles of Tulsa and Bonucci Auto of Arizona. The men are accused of selling vintage cars online, collecting payments from victims, and failing to deliver the vehicles. Authorities have traced up to $3 million in stolen funds through this operation.
Valentin Virlizanu was booked into the Pender County Detention Center and later released on a $25,000 bond.
Anyone who believes they may have been defrauded by either company is encouraged to contact the North Carolina SBI’s Coastal District Office at 910-939-6200.