FBI's Operation Stow Biz - GoFuckYourself.com

KRL · 03-05-2003, 03:27 AM

Hehehe its about time they nailed some of these moving company thieves.

Grand jury indicts 16 Florida-based moving companies

Miami -- In what is described as the largest bust of its kind in the nation, a federal grand jury has indicted 16 Florida-based moving companies and 74 employees from South Florida on charges of fraud, extortion and, in some cases, money laundering.

Federal law enforcement officials launched "Operation Stow Biz" two years ago in response to numerous complaints from consumers who said they were swindled by moving companies. Undercover FBI agents posed as potential customers as moving company representatives promised bargain prices, then inflated the costs -- in one case charging seven times the original estimate.

According to federal authorities, when the customers balked at the high prices, the moving companies would hold their belongings hostage and, in some cases, never returned them.

"Victims trusted their cherished belongings to these moving companies," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Hector M. Pesquera. "Countless memories and heirlooms have been damaged or destroyed and can never be replaced."

On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the arrest of 46 people. Although 16 companies are named in the indictment, the people charged are employees, owners or operators of more than 40 moving companies.

If convicted, those indicted could be sentenced to from five to 20 years in prison on each charge and fined up to $500,000 on each count.

Also on Tuesday, the Florida Attorney General's Office filed more than a dozen civil complaints against some of these companies. Four state circuit court judges shut down 11 businesses for allegedly violating the Florida Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

"We believe these prosecutions cut a significant cancer out of this industry," said William Tompkins, special agent in charge with the U.S. Department of Transportation. "There isn't a week that goes by that we don't get a complaint."

Indeed, of the 1.5 millions Americans who bubble wrap and box their belongings every year, about 4,000 people wind up filing complaints, Tompkins said. The enraged customer is told either to pay the inflated fees or their belongings will collect dust in storage.

"There are hundreds of victims, and we're still counting, said U.S. Attorney Marcos Daniel Jimenez. "There are warehouses full of goods that have never been returned to these individuals."

Federal authorities say such storage warehouses abound in Florida and around the nation. At a North Miami warehouse, officers from various agencies spent Tuesday sifting through mattresses, exercise equipment, toys, lawnmowers and boxes, trying to figure out what belongs to whom. Some victims have been without their belongings for as long as a year, officials said.

According to the indictment, targeted consumers generally fall victim to the same scheme.

Century Express Van Lines, a company with offices in Fort Lauderdale and employees in Broward and Palm Beach counties, presented itself as a reputable moving company. But employees would regularly use fake names and rush customers through the paperwork, causing them to sign blank or incomplete bills, according to the indictment.

In one case, federal prosecutors allege, a victim was told it would cost $1,080 to move her goods from Maryland to Florida in August 2001. Two months later the price doubled. When the victim, who was in Orlando by this time, complained, an employee told her: "If you call the police on us, you won't get your stuff," according to the indictment.

Century and its officials are charged with wire and mail fraud, false billing and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, the company could forfeit at least $1 million, a parcel of land, three moving trucks and six bank accounts.

Allegations against Florida movers have made headlines for years.

The public outcry was so great that in 2002, Florida legislators passed the Movers Regulation Act, which made it a criminal offense to fail to put estimates in writing and prohibited companies from holding a customer's belongings hostage. Shortly after the law was passed, state investigators announced they would crack down on companies that do not comply.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration also began fining companies. The largest fine, $71,000, was levied in 2002 against Majesty Moving & Storage of Plantation, also known as America's Best Movers.

When company owner Yair "Yanni" Malol was assessed the fine, he blamed consumers.

"People like to give us a hard time -- 99 percent of the complaints is a complaint for almost no reason," Malol said at the time. "The customer will lie also, a lot. Complaints are part of the business."

Malol and his company were indicted on 36 counts.

The Dawg · 03-05-2003, 06:15 AM

Yea, thats fucked up.

Imagine being all excited about moving to your new spot and then the damn movers hold your shit. I think I would snap it they tried that shit with me. I may not KILL the messenger, but his ass would sure catch a beatdown.

KDizzla · 03-05-2003, 06:27 AM

it wasnt my crap!

KRL · 03-05-2003, 07:26 AM

I've only had one bad experience with movers. When we moved from California to Florida, the movers stole my expensive professional Sony video equipment. The part that really pissed me off is they took it out of sealed boxes, put rocks inside where the equipment had been cushioned and resealed everything perfect. They knew I wouldn't be opening that stuff right away so when it was being unloaded I didn't catch it. 2 weeks later I was opening boxes and flipped out when I opened them expecting to see my gear and instead I saw rocks.

And I had tipped the fuckers huge and gave them each money on top of the tip to go have a nice meal after they were done. After that and with all the other horror stories out there I decided it was safer to just rent a truck and hire an independent crew of guys to do the work so I'd have control over it all.

jimmyf · 03-05-2003, 07:38 AM

I've seen a lot of horror stories on TV and read about them for years and years.

JaySpray21 · 03-05-2003, 04:04 PM

Marcus · 03-05-2003, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KRL
the movers stole my expensive professional Sony video equipment.

The part that really pissed me off is they took it out of sealed boxes, put rocks inside where the equipment had been cushioned and resealed everything perfect.... 2 weeks later I was opening boxes and flipped out when I opened them expecting to see my gear and instead I saw rocks.

what did you do? Did you go back to the company and press charges?

03-05-2003, 03:27 AM	#1
KRL Entrepreneur Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: USA Posts: 31,429	FBI's Operation Stow Biz Hehehe its about time they nailed some of these moving company thieves. Grand jury indicts 16 Florida-based moving companies Miami -- In what is described as the largest bust of its kind in the nation, a federal grand jury has indicted 16 Florida-based moving companies and 74 employees from South Florida on charges of fraud, extortion and, in some cases, money laundering. Federal law enforcement officials launched "Operation Stow Biz" two years ago in response to numerous complaints from consumers who said they were swindled by moving companies. Undercover FBI agents posed as potential customers as moving company representatives promised bargain prices, then inflated the costs -- in one case charging seven times the original estimate. According to federal authorities, when the customers balked at the high prices, the moving companies would hold their belongings hostage and, in some cases, never returned them. "Victims trusted their cherished belongings to these moving companies," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Hector M. Pesquera. "Countless memories and heirlooms have been damaged or destroyed and can never be replaced." On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the arrest of 46 people. Although 16 companies are named in the indictment, the people charged are employees, owners or operators of more than 40 moving companies. If convicted, those indicted could be sentenced to from five to 20 years in prison on each charge and fined up to $500,000 on each count. Also on Tuesday, the Florida Attorney General's Office filed more than a dozen civil complaints against some of these companies. Four state circuit court judges shut down 11 businesses for allegedly violating the Florida Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act. "We believe these prosecutions cut a significant cancer out of this industry," said William Tompkins, special agent in charge with the U.S. Department of Transportation. "There isn't a week that goes by that we don't get a complaint." Indeed, of the 1.5 millions Americans who bubble wrap and box their belongings every year, about 4,000 people wind up filing complaints, Tompkins said. The enraged customer is told either to pay the inflated fees or their belongings will collect dust in storage. "There are hundreds of victims, and we're still counting, said U.S. Attorney Marcos Daniel Jimenez. "There are warehouses full of goods that have never been returned to these individuals." Federal authorities say such storage warehouses abound in Florida and around the nation. At a North Miami warehouse, officers from various agencies spent Tuesday sifting through mattresses, exercise equipment, toys, lawnmowers and boxes, trying to figure out what belongs to whom. Some victims have been without their belongings for as long as a year, officials said. According to the indictment, targeted consumers generally fall victim to the same scheme. Century Express Van Lines, a company with offices in Fort Lauderdale and employees in Broward and Palm Beach counties, presented itself as a reputable moving company. But employees would regularly use fake names and rush customers through the paperwork, causing them to sign blank or incomplete bills, according to the indictment. In one case, federal prosecutors allege, a victim was told it would cost $1,080 to move her goods from Maryland to Florida in August 2001. Two months later the price doubled. When the victim, who was in Orlando by this time, complained, an employee told her: "If you call the police on us, you won't get your stuff," according to the indictment. Century and its officials are charged with wire and mail fraud, false billing and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, the company could forfeit at least $1 million, a parcel of land, three moving trucks and six bank accounts. Allegations against Florida movers have made headlines for years. The public outcry was so great that in 2002, Florida legislators passed the Movers Regulation Act, which made it a criminal offense to fail to put estimates in writing and prohibited companies from holding a customer's belongings hostage. Shortly after the law was passed, state investigators announced they would crack down on companies that do not comply. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration also began fining companies. The largest fine, $71,000, was levied in 2002 against Majesty Moving & Storage of Plantation, also known as America's Best Movers. When company owner Yair "Yanni" Malol was assessed the fine, he blamed consumers. "People like to give us a hard time -- 99 percent of the complaints is a complaint for almost no reason," Malol said at the time. "The customer will lie also, a lot. Complaints are part of the business." Malol and his company were indicted on 36 counts. __________________ If you would like to develop your domains, you can lease inexpensive foreign labor from the leaders in the field at iWebmasters.com TO LOWER YOUR COSTS AND INCREASE YOUR PRODUCTION! * * * * * * * * * * * * Domains Adult News KRL's Newsletter Biz Tips Just Listed Domains

03-05-2003, 06:27 AM	#3
KDizzla Confirmed User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: South Hampton Posts: 1,795	it wasnt my crap! __________________ www.ogrish.com

03-05-2003, 07:26 AM	#4
KRL Entrepreneur Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: USA Posts: 31,429	I've only had one bad experience with movers. When we moved from California to Florida, the movers stole my expensive professional Sony video equipment. The part that really pissed me off is they took it out of sealed boxes, put rocks inside where the equipment had been cushioned and resealed everything perfect. They knew I wouldn't be opening that stuff right away so when it was being unloaded I didn't catch it. 2 weeks later I was opening boxes and flipped out when I opened them expecting to see my gear and instead I saw rocks. And I had tipped the fuckers huge and gave them each money on top of the tip to go have a nice meal after they were done. After that and with all the other horror stories out there I decided it was safer to just rent a truck and hire an independent crew of guys to do the work so I'd have control over it all. __________________ If you would like to develop your domains, you can lease inexpensive foreign labor from the leaders in the field at iWebmasters.com TO LOWER YOUR COSTS AND INCREASE YOUR PRODUCTION! * * * * * * * * * * * * Domains Adult News KRL's Newsletter Biz Tips Just Listed Domains

03-05-2003, 07:38 AM	#5
jimmyf OU812 Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: California Posts: 12,651	I've seen a lot of horror stories on TV and read about them for years and years. __________________ Epic CashEpic Cash works for me Solar Cash Paysite Plugin Gallery of the day freesites,POTD,Gallery generator with free hosting

03-05-2003, 06:15 AM	#2
The Dawg Confirmed User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: State Of Bliss Posts: 2,438	Yea, thats fucked up. Imagine being all excited about moving to your new spot and then the damn movers hold your shit. I think I would snap it they tried that shit with me. I may not KILL the messenger, but his ass would sure catch a beatdown.

03-05-2003, 04:04 PM	#6
JaySpray21 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 76