A group of movers, accused of defrauding and extorting Toronto-area customers through a group of commonly owned companies over several years, have been released on strict bail terms as authorities delve further into their alleged crimes.
Charged are Syed Altaf Hussain, 57; two of his sons, Syed Amit Monwar Hussain, 29 and Syed Tamim Rejw Hussain, 25, and a stepson, Arif Adnan Syed, 27. Also charged are Joseph Lima, 22, Clyde Alen Muffty, 34, Scott Paul Slater, 31, and Vanessa Longhurst, 38. Police expect to arrest a ninth suspect.
In three separate court proceedings Friday, the seven men and Ms. Longhurst were granted bail on condition they don't work for or operate moving companies. Mr. Slater was held for a future bail hearing.
A publication ban was placed on evidence at one of Friday's proceedings, but at the hearing for Mr. Lima and Mr. Muffty, Crown prosecutor Daniel Brandes said 15 complainants gave police starkly similar accounts of costly and traumatic moving day incidents. All were quoted low prices in advance, but on moving day, were coerced to sign contracts and cough up several times the quoted cost, often after their goods were already on the truck.
If the customer didn't pay, the movers "threatened to not move it or throw it out onto the street," Mr. Brandes said. In one case last October, Ms. Brandes said, a 62-year-old woman suffered panic attacks and was hospitalized after her possessions were left out in the rain.
Police arrested the eight suspects on Thursday, and announced they had seized moving trucks, cars and $20,000 in cash, after a five-month investigation of the companies.
Detective Kevin Hooper said the companies were owned by Syed Altaf Hussain and his sons, advertised widely on the Internet and operated from 50 Munham Gate in Toronto. Officers seized an appointment book and have been contacting clients who had pre-booked moves to advise them to make other arrangements.
Detective Hooper said the elder Mr. Hussain lives in government housing and collects social assistance, and his stepson owns an $800,000 home in Markham. Police are investigating evidence that cash was wired overseas by the companies, he said.