Toronto police say they have made several arrests and laid hundreds of charges in a months-long fraud investigation.
Police say four people were arrested this week in connection with moving company fraud in the area of Bellamy Road and Progress Avenue in Scarborough.
In June, officers executed warrants against several budget moving companies following an undercover investigation by CBC’s Marketplace into a group of national moving companies accused of misleading pricing.
According to police, two men bought and operated the businesses, quoting customers low amounts when contacted online.
However, police say, after the companies collected a person’s belongings, they used no-amount contracts signed and then held their customers’ belongings until a higher amount was paid that police said would be “thousands dollars more than originally quoted.” ”
Police say it is believed the businesses would threaten to sell customers’ belongings unless the higher amount was paid.
In some cases, police say, that happened.
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Roadway Moving first quoted Marketplace producer $895 to move 1,000 lbs. After filling out an inventory spreadsheet, that number jumped to $1,495 before taxes to move 3,000 pounds. But on the day of the move, the estimated weight increased again.
On Friday, police say they arrested a 55-year-old Toronto woman who has been charged with theft over $5,000, conspiracy to commit a felony and mischief by interfering with property over $5,000. He is scheduled to appear in court on November 1.
Three other people from Toronto also face hundreds of charges. Friends and business partners Cemal Ozturk, 30, and Dogan Celik, 29, as well as a 26-year-old woman, have been charged with dozens of crimes, including obtaining by false pretenses, fraud over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime. , theft, fraud and attempted fraud.
Ozturk and Celik were previously charged with four counts of fraud, racketeering, possession of property obtained by crime and false pretenses, as well as conspiracy to commit indictable offences. It is not clear when they will be expected in court.
Police say all belongings have now been returned to the customers.
These are the companies listed under the June warrant:
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Move Me Again Transportation Inc.
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Everything you can move
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Top Canadian Movers
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Safe transport and storage
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Road transport and storage
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12282569 Canada Inc.
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All Canada Van Lines Inc.
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East Coast Star Van Lines Inc.
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Greenway Moving and Storage Inc.
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Moonstar Van Lines Inc.
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13448037 Canada Inc.
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O’Canada Movers
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New Vision Movers.