23 Unlicensed Movers Fined Undercover Sting Operation "Safe Move"

State-led undercover sting targets unlicensed movers across New Jersey, resulting in significant penalties.

MORRIS COUNTY, N.J. - In a sweeping crackdown on unlicensed moving companies, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Consumer Affairs have issued civil penalties totaling $125,000 to 23 moving companies that were operating without the required state licenses. The investigation, dubbed "Operation Safe Move," was carried out by the Division’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) over three days in June and targeted movers advertising online without proper licensure.

During the undercover operation, OCP investigators posed as customers seeking to move belongings from a storage unit in Monroe Township. When the movers arrived at the storage site on June 12, 2024, expecting to load items, they were instead greeted by a team of OCP investigators requesting proof of their licensure. Alongside the OCP team, New Jersey State Police (NJSP) officers from the Mobile Safe Freight Unit conducted safety inspections on the moving trucks.

“Unlicensed movers can be a consumer’s worst nightmare,” said Attorney General Platkin. “These rogue operators are doing business outside regulatory oversight and often lack the necessary skills, experience, and insurance to protect the belongings entrusted to them. By proactively identifying and putting a stop to these businesses, we’re reducing the risk they pose to New Jersey residents.”

Twenty-one of the movers were issued $5,000 penalties, while two companies—Tera Movers, LLC, of Newark and Piece of Cake Moving, of Queens, New York—were hit with $10,000 fines as repeat offenders. Under New Jersey law, all intrastate movers must be licensed by the Division’s Regulated Business Unit, maintain proper insurance, and provide written estimates to customers.

In addition to the civil penalties, the NJSP identified 64 motor vehicle safety violations during their inspections, one of which was severe enough to take the vehicle out of service.

Unlicensed movers are notorious for exploiting customers by holding their belongings hostage until exorbitant price increases are paid or, in some cases, disappearing with the goods entirely. The lack of transparency and adequate insurance coverage leaves consumers vulnerable to additional costs if their property is damaged or lost. This latest sting operation underscores the importance of verifying a mover’s license before hiring.

The following is the list of the companies that were fined during Operation Safe Move:

1. Mateusz L J Services LLC – Frank Diaz – Lodi, Bergen, NJ – $5,000
2. Daniels All Around Moving Service – Isaiah J. Daniels – Willingboro, Burlington, NJ – $5,000
3. Hoop There It Is – Julian Gonzales – Willingboro, Burlington, NJ – $5,000
4. MS Moving, Inc. d/b/a MS Moving & Storage – Rubens Rubeiro – Palmyra, Burlington, NJ – $5,000
5. Eric Rowell’s Moving and Hauling – Eric Rowell – Ocean City, Cape May, NJ – $5,000
6. Hope Trucking and Moving – Raunell L. Hope – East Orange, Essex, NJ – $5,000
7. Tera Moving LLC – Franklin D. Arce Gutierrez – Newark, Essex, NJ – $10,000
8. C&T Mini Moves – Christopher DeMitri – Williamstown, Gloucester, NJ – $5,000
9. AJS Moving Services LLC – Ibrahim Seck – Bayonne, Hudson, NJ – $5,000
10. First Class Express Movers – Mohamed Mansouri – Jersey City, Hudson, NJ – $5,000
11. Tommy’s Moving – Thomas Morrissey – Hoboken, Hudson, NJ – $5,000
12. Blue Orchard Moving – Steven P. Elkin – East Brunswick, Middlesex, NJ – $5,000
13. A-Vision Services LLC d/b/a Moving With A Vision – Ali Ashour and Taha Bouftila – Edison, Middlesex, NJ – $5,000
14. Beety Trucking – Jonathan Beety – Beachwood, Ocean, NJ – $5,000
15. Good Mood Moving – Yevgen Shpylyevy – Haskell, Passaic, NJ – $5,000
16. Signature Van Lines – Amer Mousa – Paterson, Passaic, NJ – $5,000
17. ANT Movers LLC – Anthony DeFelice – Bound Brook, Somerset, NJ – $5,000
18. Franklin Reliable Movers – Kwan Franklin – Somerset, Somerset, NJ – $5,000
19. Kelvin Daniels Moving Services – Kelvin A. Daniels – Somerset, Somerset, NJ – $5,000
20. Moving Crew NJ LLC – Ian Imber – Hillsborough, Somerset, NJ – $5,000
21. Official Moving & Storage – Dimitri Svirsky – Brooklyn, Kings, NY – $5,000
22. Family Touch Moving – Rahsean H. Thompson – Spring Valley, Rockland, NY – $5,000
23. Piece of Cake Moving & Storage LLC d/b/a Piece of Cake Moving – Vojin Popovic – Queens, Queens, NY – $10,000

These companies were cited for operating without proper licenses during the state’s sting operation.

“New Jersey’s legal and regulatory requirements are in place to protect the consumers and their possessions,” said Cari Fais, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. “We urge residents to make sure they hire a mover from the pool of businesses licensed to provide services in compliance with those requirements.”

Consumers are urged to take precautions when hiring movers, including verifying the mover’s license with the Division, obtaining a written estimate, and carefully reviewing the condition of items upon delivery. The Division of Consumer Affairs offers several tips, including never packing valuables with the items to be moved and understanding the mover’s compensation policy for damaged goods.

For more information or to report consumer fraud, individuals can contact the Division of Consumer Affairs through its website or by calling 1-800-242-5846.

The full list of companies fined during Operation Safe Move includes movers from across New Jersey and neighboring states, with penalties ranging from $5,000 to $10,000.

This operation, assisted by the Monroe Police Department, highlights the state’s ongoing efforts to protect consumers and hold unlicensed movers accountable for their actions.