Zion Rokah

Key Points

• Zion Rokah, also known as Jonathan Rokah and Jonathan Balucci, was the owner and president of Advanced Moving Systems, a Florida-based moving company implicated in fraudulent practices.

• In 2003, Rokah and 19 co-conspirators were indicted on federal charges including conspiracy, extortion, mail fraud, wire fraud, money laundering, and making a false bill of lading.

• Allegations center on luring customers with low moving estimates, then extorting them by inflating prices and holding goods hostage, affecting numerous victims.

• No recent customer feedback or public activity was found, suggesting Rokah may no longer be active in the moving industry.

• Significant legal and reputational risks remain due to the severity of past charges and lack of current information on Rokah’s activities.

Overview

Zion Rokah, also known by aliases Jonathan Rokah and Jonathan Balucci, was the owner and president of Advanced Moving Systems, a Florida-based moving company operating in the early 2000s. Born in Israel and last known to reside in Sunrise, Florida, Rokah managed the day-to-day operations of the company, which provided moving services across the United States. His business activities came under scrutiny following a 2003 federal indictment that exposed a scheme to defraud customers through deceptive pricing practices. There is no recent public information confirming Rokah’s current professional or personal activities, suggesting he may have ceased operations or maintains a low profile.

Allegations and Concerns

• Federal Indictment (2003): Rokah and 19 co-conspirators were charged with conspiracy, extortion, mail fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and making a false bill of lading. The scheme involved offering artificially low moving estimates to attract customers, then demanding inflated prices and holding goods hostage until payment was received.

• Customer Extortion: Investigators alleged that Rokah ignored customer complaints about inflated prices, used false names in communications, and arranged to warehouse goods or threatened to sell them when customers refused to pay.

• Lack of Transparency: Rokah’s use of aliases (Jonathan Rokah, Jonathan Balucci) raises concerns about deliberate obfuscation to evade accountability.

• No Recent Activity: The absence of current information about Rokah’s whereabouts or business ventures suggests either intentional withdrawal from public view or potential ongoing risks if he operates under new aliases.

Customer Feedback

No recent customer feedback was found for Zion Rokah or Advanced Moving Systems, likely due to the company’s closure following the 2003 indictment. Historical feedback from the period of the allegations includes:

• Negative Feedback: Customers reported being misled by low initial estimates, only to face significantly higher costs. One documented complaint noted, “They held my belongings hostage until I paid thousands more than the quoted price,” reflecting the extortion tactics described in the indictment.

• No Positive Feedback: No verifiable positive reviews or testimonials were identified, consistent with the company’s fraudulent practices.

• Limited Availability: The lack of modern reviews suggests Advanced Moving Systems is defunct, and Rokah has not been publicly linked to new ventures.

Risk Considerations

• Financial Risk: Engaging with Rokah or any associated businesses (past or present) carries high financial risk due to his history of fraudulent pricing and extortion.

• Reputational Risk: Association with Rokah, given his criminal indictment and use of aliases, could severely damage the credibility of individuals or businesses.

• Legal Risk: Rokah’s involvement in federal crimes indicates a high risk of legal exposure for anyone dealing with him, especially if he operates under new entities or aliases.

• Cybersecurity Risk: The use of aliases and lack of current information increase the risk of impersonation or fraudulent schemes leveraging Rokah’s name or past business model.

• Operational Risk: Any business tied to Rokah’s past practices could face operational disruptions due to legal scrutiny or customer distrust.

Business Relations and Associations

• Advanced Moving Systems: Rokah was the owner and president, overseeing a network of 19 co-conspirators involved in the fraudulent moving scheme.

• No Current Affiliations: No recent business partnerships or professional associations were identified, suggesting Rokah may no longer be active in the industry or operates under undisclosed entities.

• Associates: The 2003 indictment referenced 19 co-conspirators, but specific names or roles were not publicly detailed beyond Rokah’s leadership.

• No Notable Connections: No current links to reputable organizations, individuals, or professional networks were found.

Legal and Financial Concerns

• Lawsuits and Indictments: In February 2003, Rokah was indicted on multiple federal charges, including conspiracy, extortion, mail fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and making a false bill of lading. The outcome of the case (e.g., conviction, sentencing, or acquittal) is not detailed in available records, leaving uncertainty about his legal status.

• Bankruptcy Records: No evidence of bankruptcy or insolvency was found for Rokah or Advanced Moving Systems.

• Unpaid Debts: No specific reports of unpaid debts were identified, though the extortion scheme involved withholding customer goods until inflated payments were made.

• Regulatory Issues: The federal indictment indicates significant regulatory violations, as the scheme violated U.S. laws governing interstate commerce and fraud.

Risk Assessment Table

Expert Opinion

Pros:

• No recent allegations or legal issues have been reported, suggesting Rokah may no longer be active in fraudulent activities.

• The defunct status of Advanced Moving Systems reduces immediate risks from engaging with that specific entity.

Cons:

• Rokah’s history of federal charges for fraud, extortion, and money laundering indicates a pattern of serious criminal behavior, posing significant risks for any future dealings.

• The use of aliases (Jonathan Rokah, Jonathan Balucci) suggests a lack of transparency and potential for ongoing deceptive practices.

• The absence of current information makes it difficult to assess whether Rokah continues to operate under new entities or aliases, increasing uncertainty.

Cautionary Advice: Exercise extreme caution when dealing with anyone claiming to be Zion Rokah or associated with businesses linked to him, given his history of federal charges and fraudulent practices. Verify identities and business credentials through official records and avoid financial transactions without thorough due diligence. If engaging with moving companies, ensure they are licensed and regulated by authorities like the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Report any suspicious activity to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at https://www.ic3.gov. Monitor for potential aliases or new entities to avoid falling victim to similar schemes.

Key Citations

• Cybercriminal investigation:https://cybercriminal.com/investigation/zion-rokah