UPDATE: A Canberra family is in distress as their belongings have been held “ransom” by a removalist amid a fee dispute. This shocking incident unfolded on July 27, 2025, when Madhu Priya and her family expected to relocate from their home in Tuggeranong to their new residence in McKellar.
The situation escalated when the removalist, identified as Expressmover, demanded an exorbitant fee of $1,600 after initially agreeing to $900 for the move. Priya recounted, “After loading our items, the removalist threatened not to deliver our belongings unless we paid the increased fee.” The family’s precious items, including a valuable $5,000 Persian rug, remain in limbo, exacerbating their anguish.
Priya, a cardiac sonographer who has lived in Canberra for 18 years, reported the matter to ACT Policing after the movers threatened to store their possessions in a warehouse if the payment was not made. Authorities confirmed that they did not identify any criminal offenses; hence, the dispute was directed to Access Canberra’s Fair Trading and Consumer Rights division.
“This has been a nightmare. I feel like I am running in circles; the police told me to go to Fair Trading, while Fair Trading said it was a police issue,” Priya expressed, highlighting the confusion and stress surrounding their situation.
After a grueling three days of negotiations and police intervention, the removalist finally delivered the family’s items. However, the ordeal took a darker turn when a representative from Expressmover allegedly assaulted Priya’s son, demanding he delete video evidence during the drop-off.
“My son tried to record the delivery to ensure everything was accounted for, but instead, he was threatened and physically assaulted,” Priya stated. The removalist claimed that all items were delivered but the family contends that their prized Persian rug is still missing.
In a statement to the media, a representative from Expressmover, who identified himself only as Charles, vehemently denied the ransom claims. He argued that “there were more goods than the initially agreed numbers,” suggesting that the family was unreasonable in their response.
As of now, Priya has escalated the issue to Fair Trading, seeking justice for what she describes as an unfair treatment by the removalist. She is currently awaiting an assigned case officer to investigate her complaint.
This incident raises important questions about consumer rights and the responsibilities of service providers. Families moving in Canberra should be aware of potential risks and ensure they have clear agreements with movers to avoid similar situations.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as authorities work to resolve the family’s complaint and ensure the safe return of their belongings. This case highlights the urgent need for vigilance when hiring service providers in the moving industry.
