NEWARK, N.J. - An Essex County, New Jersey, woman was arrested and charged today with managing a variety of moving companies in New Jersey that systematically defrauded hundreds of customers, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Farah Al-Ibrahim, a/k/a “Farah Alhomsi," a/k/a “Farah Adam," a/k/a “Farah Adams," a/k/a “Sara Adams," 38, is charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. She made her initial court appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor and was released on $100,000 unsecured bond.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Al-Ibrahim and her conspirators operated numerous moving companies that quoted customers “low-ball" price estimates for moves and then raised prices on the day of the move, after the goods were loaded and the customers were subject to the conspirators’ demands. Al-Ibrahim and her conspirators consistently, over a number of years and hundreds of moves, raised final prices for moves above the allowed increase from initial estimates as provided by federal regulations, including increases as high as 400 percent on the day of the move. The collective difference between the estimates and the final balances for the customers’ moves was approximately $2 million.
The conspiracy to commit wire fraud charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to others, whichever is greater.
U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito credited special agents of the Department of Transportation-Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Douglas Shoemaker, Northeast Region; postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector in Charge James Buthorn, Newark Division; and special agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Angel Melendez, New York Field Office, with the investigation leading to today’s charge.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Macurdy of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.
The charges and allegations in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
