Fraud investigation into moving and storage company, One man and two women face 37 charges

Fraud investigation into moving and storage company, One man and two women face 37 charges

Thursday, October 26, 2017 - 3:01 PM
Financial Crimes:  416-808-7300

On Tuesday, October 24, 2017, members of Toronto Police Service Financial Crimes and the RCMP executed simultaneous search warrants in response to numerous fraud allegations from members of the public. The investigation, known as Project Haul, is being conducted by members of the Toronto Strategic Partnership and has been ongoing since April 2017.

It is alleged that:

- operators of Green Moving, Capital Moving, Homeland Moving, Landmark Van Lines, and Ryder Moving, defrauded victims via an organized scheme to obtain household property on the pretence of providing moving services

- personal property of victims was loaded on to a moving truck, but would never arrive at the agreed destination

- victims would eventually be contacted and advised of a revised fee, which was two-to-three-times the original estimate

It is further alleged that:

- the operators had no intention of honouring the original fees quoted

- victims would later be advised that if they did not pay up, their property would be destroyed

- many victims have been left destitute, having moved a great distance only to be left, literally, with just the clothing on their backs

Acting on these complaints, investigators attended at the Green Moving warehouse at 380 Tapscott Roadand seized property that allegedly belongs to some of the complainants.

A second search warrant was conducted at a residence in the Don Mills Road and Lawrence Avenue Eastarea to recover further evidence.

The recovered belongings have been taken for storage at the Toronto Police Service Property and Evidence Management Unit, pending return to their rightful owners. The return of such a large amount of property to owners across Ontario and throughout Canada is beyond the capabilities of the Toronto Police Service.

To facilitate the return of belongings, the Canadian Association of Movers generously arranged for the shipment of goods back to victims, courtesy of their partner companies. These shipments will be completed in the coming weeks in time for the holiday season.

Mesut Vatansever, 46, and Rahime Vatansever, 45, both of Toronto, were arrested and each charged with:

1) seven count of Fraud Over $5000
2) eight counts of Possession Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
3) Fraud Under $5000
4) Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000

Gizem Uzum, 22, of Toronto, was arrested and charged with:

1) two counts of Possession Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
2) Fraud Over $5000

They are all scheduled to appear in court at Old City Hall on Friday, December 22, 2017.

Residents of all provinces are reminded to understand their rights under provincial legislation within their own province and to take precautions when contemplating the use of any company providing moving services.

Related information can be found on the Consumer Protection Ontario website and clicking on "Your Home."

Further information can be located on the Federal Office of Consumer Affairs website.

The Toronto Strategic Partnership is a collaboration of the Toronto Police Service, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Competition Bureau of Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Government and Consumer Services, the Ontario Ministry of Finance, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

Victims who believe that they have been defrauded by a moving company are also encouraged to notify the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. Anyone with questions or concerns pertaining to this news release is encouraged to contact Detective Alan Spratt, Toronto Police Service Financial Crimes, at 416-808-7300, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable Caroline de Kloet, Corporate Communications, for Detective Sergeant Ian Nichol, Financial Crimes