Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
A New York resident has been arrested and charged in connection with a multi-state scheme involving the theft of large shipments of goods, including seafood, fruit, and designer cologne. Federal prosecutors allege that Romoy Forbes, 31, a Jamaican national living in Deer Park, New York, conspired to infiltrate email accounts of legitimate trucking companies to facilitate the thefts.
Forbes faces charges of interstate transportation of stolen goods and conspiracy to commit that offense. He was taken into custody on Long Island and is scheduled for an initial appearance in the Eastern District of New York before appearing in federal court in Boston at a later date.
According to charging documents, on July 15, 2025, Forbes allegedly stole 33,750 pounds of frozen snow crab valued at $325,000 from a warehouse in Worcester, Massachusetts. Prosecutors say a co-conspirator hacked into the email account of a trucking company (Carrier 1) and used it to arrange shipping with another business (Shipper 1). Forbes then allegedly posed as an employee of Carrier 1 to pick up the seafood. Instead of delivering it as contracted to Florida, he transported it to Queens, New York.
The complaint also alleges that prior to this incident, on June 25, 2025, Forbes stole a shipment of blueberries from Winslow Junction, New Jersey. The method was similar: authorities say a co-conspirator hacked into Carrier 2’s email account and arranged for shipment through Shipper 2. Forbes then collected the fruit under false pretenses and allegedly sold it illicitly.
On July 25, 2025, prosecutors allege Forbes conspired again—this time targeting approximately $433,830 worth of designer cologne from Ronkonkama, New York. Authorities state that another carrier's email was compromised (Carrier 3), allowing arrangements with Shipper 3 for delivery to California. Instead of making the delivery as planned, Forbes is accused of offering the stolen fragrances for sale through his personal contacts.
If convicted on interstate transportation of stolen goods charges alone, Forbes could face up to ten years in prison and fines up to $250,000; conspiracy carries additional penalties.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley stated: “This case is part of Operation Take Back America,” describing it as “a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.” She added: “Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.”
The investigation involved cooperation between federal offices in Massachusetts and New York. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan O’Shea is prosecuting.
Authorities emphasized that all allegations are contained within charging documents; defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
