Brazilians Ripped Off

The situation has stirred a deep sense of betrayal among Brazilian immigrants, one of the largest immigrant groups in the state, who are following a long tradition of sending clothes, appliances, and other goods to relatives back home. Immigrants say the companies offered better prices than regular mail and catered to them by speaking their language, providing contracts in Portuguese, and picking up the boxes at their homes. Most of the workers were immigrants themselves.

Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office would not confirm that she is investigating, but documents obtained by the Globe showed that her office has received about 150 complaints, mainly against Manaim Express; Adonai Moving and Transportation, a Framingham branch of a Georgia company; Express Moving International of Woburn; and Alexim Moving/ATC Cargo, which used to have an office in Massachusetts and is still operating in Florida....(more)