Victim Location 60175
Total money lost $500
Type of a scam Moving
I spoke to them over the phone and gave them the dimensions of my storage locker. They quoted me a price in a PDF contract sent to us via email. I was told to have a personal check ready for the amount of the pickup deposit. When they arrived, they refused to accept the check, demanding cash on the spot.
I pushed back, and they agreed to accept the check and load the truck.
Once they had our belongings secured away in their truck, somebody named Arick called me to demand more money. He said I lied in my shipping manifest about how much I had. The thing is, I never filled out a shipping manifest. He also demanded that ALL the money now be paid in cash, or he would have his staff keep my belongings for themselves.
It was only after 3 more days of threatening to destroy my belongings that I told him I would be filing a police report and had recorded all our phone calls (I hadn’t). Then he was suddenly willing to honor the contract we signed.
After a little digging I found that Sovereign first incorporated in San Diego, owned by known Russian mobster Roni Hayon. He is on the run following indictments, but his cohorts from the original Sovereign have set up shop away from California.