Tulsa business address used for international money laundering scheme, officials report arrest in North Carolina

Suspects charged with money laundering and conspiracy in North Carolina after victims say they paid Tulsa business for cars online, but got nothing in return.

Monday, July 14th 2025, 6:44 pm

By: Emory Bryan

TULSA, Okla. -

Two North Carolina men are charged with felony money laundering and conspiracy for a scheme to sell classic cars online from a Tulsa business address. Just the victims known to law enforcement lost $3 million, but officials believe there are more victims.

The Pender County Sheriff's Office and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation identified a money laundering operation that has ties to Moldova and Russia, officials said Monday. One suspect, Valentin Virlizanu, was arrested in North Carolina but released on a $25,000 bond. His brother, Vasile Virlizanu, is also facing charges but remains at large and is not legally in the United States, according to officials.

The fraud involved at least two different company names, "Specialty Vehicles of Tulsa" and "Bonucci Auto" of Arizona. In both cases, victims paid for vehicles that were never delivered, after seeing online advertisements, including some still posted, on Facebook Marketplace.

Anyone who was defrauded by either company or individual can contact the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation at 910-939-6200 for more information.

Emory Bryan

Emory Bryan is a general assignment reporter for News On 6. He began his news career covering the school board for his hometown radio station and worked on the newspaper staff in college before making the switch to television. Emory joined the News On 6 team in 1994.