Jamaican National Indicted for Stealing $325K Crab Shipment in Massachusetts

Romoy Forbes allegedly hacked trucking company emails and impersonated employees to steal frozen seafood cargo

Apr. 7, 2026 at 11:06pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single frozen snow crab claw lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the stolen seafood cargo at the center of this crime investigation.A recent wave of cargo thefts targeting Massachusetts businesses has exposed vulnerabilities in the supply chain that criminal networks are exploiting for illicit profit.Worcester Today

A 31-year-old Jamaican national named Romoy Forbes has been indicted for his alleged role in a cargo theft scheme that targeted a Massachusetts seafood business. Forbes is accused of stealing nearly 34,000 pounds of frozen snow crabs worth approximately $325,000 from a Worcester storage warehouse last July by hacking into the email account of a legitimate trucking company and impersonating their employees.

Why it matters

Cargo theft is a major problem that costs businesses billions each year, with the food and beverage industry being one of the most frequently targeted sectors. This case highlights the sophisticated tactics used by cargo thieves, as well as the challenges businesses face in protecting their supply chains from criminal activity.

The details

According to the FBI, Forbes and an unnamed co-conspirator allegedly stole the frozen crab by accessing the email account of a trucking company that the seafood business had hired to transport the cargo to Florida. The co-conspirator then messaged the warehouse, posing as the trucking company, to say their driver was there to pick up the shipment. When the warehouse worker asked for a phone number and photos of the truck, the co-conspirator provided information that did not match the vehicle Forbes had used to arrive at the facility. Despite the discrepancy, the worker still released the cargo to Forbes, who then delivered it to a grocery store in Queens, New York instead of the intended customer in Florida.

  • On June 1, Forbes allegedly stole a $4,000 shipment of blueberries.
  • On July 15, Forbes arrived at the Worcester warehouse and claimed to be an employee of the trucking company.
  • In late July, Forbes is accused of stealing 14 pallets of designer cologne worth over $430,000.

The players

Romoy Forbes

A 31-year-old Jamaican national from Deer Park, New York who has been indicted for his alleged role in a cargo theft scheme that targeted a Massachusetts seafood business.

Brendan Retalic

An FBI special agent who provided an affidavit detailing the allegations against Forbes.

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What they’re saying

“Instead of delivering the cargo loads to the customers who have purchased the goods, the co-conspirators sell the items elsewhere, for illicit profit.”

— Brendan Retalic, FBI Special Agent

What’s next

Forbes is scheduled to appear in federal court again on April 15th, where a judge will decide whether to grant him bail as the case proceeds.

The takeaway

This case underscores the sophisticated tactics used by cargo thieves to target businesses, often by exploiting vulnerabilities in the supply chain. It serves as a reminder for companies to strengthen security measures and remain vigilant against such criminal activity.