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FBI Cracks Down On South Florida Moving Companies

POSTED: 12:19 p.m. EST March 4, 2003
UPDATED: 6:28 a.m. EST March 5, 2003

The FBI is rounding up 74 moving company employees today who they say ripped off customers across South Florida.

So far, agents have arrested 46 people. They and others are accused of fraud and overcharging.

Agents say 16 companies are involved, although that number doesn't reflect the long list of accused companies. Agents say some of the businesses used multiple names as complaints piled up. The arrests are the result of eight separate grand jury indictments, making it the biggest moving industry bust in U.S. history.

"The moving companies would provide artificially low estimates in order to entice the customer to do business with the moving companies, they would then inflate the prices of the moves and then they would refuse to deliver goods until the inflated prices were paid," said U.S. Attorney Marcos Jimenez.

Jimenez also said the inflated prices were anywhere from three to seven times more than the original estimates. He also says more arrests are likely.

Attorney General Charlie Crist announced on Tuesday that his office, working in conjunction with the FBI, filed civil actions seeking fines, penalties and injunctions against the offending companies and individuals.

"Too many Floridians have suffered for far too long at the hands of unscrupulous moving companies," Crist said. "Thanks to the outstanding cooperation between our office and the FBI, today we are sending a clear message to those who prey on our residents: 'You have no place doing business in our state, and the only place you'll be moving to is jail.'"

Those arrested are facing extortion, mail fraud and wire fraud charges.

If you want to see a list of the companies and/or employees involved click here.

If you want to file a complaint of your own against one of the companies, click here

For tips to avoid problems with movers as well as how to handle complaints, click here

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