News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Weds. April 8, 2026: A Jamaican national has been indicted in the United States in connection with a large-scale cargo theft scheme that authorities say spanned multiple states and involved more than $800,000 in stolen goods.
Federal prosecutors allege that Romoy Forbes, 31, of Deer Park, New York, orchestrated a series of thefts targeting shipments of high-value products, including seafood, beer, blueberries and designer cologne. At the center of the case is the alleged theft of approximately 33,750 pounds of frozen snow crabs from a storage warehouse in Worcester, Massachusetts. The seafood alone is valued at roughly $325,000, according to federal authorities.
Investigators say the operation relied on a sophisticated method involving the hacking of a legitimate trucking company’s email account. Posing as authorized employees, Forbes and an alleged co-conspirator reportedly secured transport contracts and diverted shipments for resale.
According to court documents, the scheme unfolded in July when a Worcester-based seafood company sought a transporter to deliver goods to Jacksonville, Florida. Authorities allege that Forbes arrived at the warehouse claiming to represent the trucking company, presenting identification and coordinating with a co-conspirator who communicated with the business using the compromised email account.
Instead of delivering the cargo, prosecutors say the goods were redirected and sold for profit.
Federal officials further allege that the crab theft was part of a broader pattern. In the weeks surrounding the incident, Forbes is accused of stealing additional shipments, including blueberries valued at $4,000 and 14 pallets of designer cologne worth more than $430,000.
In total, authorities estimate the scheme resulted in the theft of over $800,000 in goods from various shipping companies.
Forbes appeared in federal court in Worcester on Tuesday, where he was arraigned on charges including interstate transportation of stolen goods and conspiracy.
The case highlights growing concerns among U.S. authorities over cargo theft schemes that exploit logistics systems through cyber-enabled fraud and impersonation tactics.
