Thread: Man arrested in moving scam

Original Link:

http://www.nwcn.com/statenews/washingto ... b95e9.html

or Short (Tinyurl):

http://tinyurl.com/n36vc


Man arrested in moving scam

05:30 PM PDT on Friday, August 25, 2006

By CHRIS INGALLS / KING 5 News

SEATTLE – Investigators say this was a case of pure extortion. A moving company offered a bid, but then jacked up the price once the customer's possessions were loaded in the truck.

KING

Yacov Torgman was charged Friday.

The moving truck has finally shown up at Don O'Neill's new home in Seattle, but some of his property is missing or damaged.
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Chris Ingalls warns about the moving scam
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"Everything's coming off in bits and pieces," he said.

O'Neill is a transplant from New Orleans – a radio show host who's been telling listeners about his plight for days now.

On Newsradio 710's "Ron and Don" show, O'Neill has described how Nationwide Relocation of Florida has been holding his property hostage.

"He says, 'I have your stuff. I want my money. I'm a big guy.' Then he went on to threaten me," said O'Neill on his talk show. "They already jacked me up $3,000."

The accused extortionist is an Israeli citizen named Yacov Torgman. He was charged Friday with holding O'Neill's load hostage while demanding more cash.

Torgman was arrested in a sting set up by Seattle Police who asked O'Neill to agree to meet with mover, with detectives monitoring the transaction.

"My job was to go out and give these guys the $6,000 in cash they were demanding. That's exactly what I did," he said.

Three years ago, the feds busted a Woodinville moving company called Nationwide in a similar scheme. The Israeli citizens who ran that business are still in prison. Investigators are probing to see if there's a connection between the two companies.

Police and federal agents re-arrested Torgman after his court hearing Friday, offering no explanation why.

For Don O'Neill, who lost friends, property and his job in the hurricane, the stress of the extortion plot was something he couldn't hide from listeners.

"Sorry, I haven't slept in my bed for a year," he cried on the air.

Nationwide Relocation is believed to be based in Clearwater, Florida. At this point investigators have no idea how many other victims may be out there.

Seattle Police suspect that Yacov Torgman has been in the U.S. illegally since 2004.

On Newsradio 710's "Ron and Don" show, O'Neill has described how Nationwide Relocation of Florida has been holding his property hostage.

W,

I'll bet there's one radio program you could land an ALIPAC interview - should I give em a call for you? I'd bet this guy would be a big help to the cause and easy to 'sign up' too...

Footnote: Also, notice that this news outlet DID in fact properly identify the status of the perp in the story - thanks, for small miracles.