5
Let me be clear: what I’m about to share isn’t a misunderstanding. It’s not a clerical error. It’s a premeditated freight fraud that cost us money, damaged a customer relationship, and exposed a scam network operating in broad daylight under active MC numbers.
I’m sharing this not just as the broker of record—but as the direct victim of this scam.
And if you're in this industry, it could happen to you next.
The Players Behind the Scheme
Five Star Logistics Inc. – MC#01659900
Gollawalla Trucking LLC – MC#01155433
American Logistics (middle party with zero accountability)
This web of deception began like any normal load. It ended with fraud, triple brokering, and theft.
Timeline of the Fraud
We tendered the load to Five Star Logistics at a contracted rate of $6,400, with one condition made crystal clear:
"Double brokering is strictly prohibited. Any instance will result in non-payment.”
Five Star ignored that, illegally rebrokering the load to American Logistics.
American Logistics passed it again—this time to Gollawalla Trucking, who ultimately moved the load... for $8,700.
That’s a $2,300 markup from the original rate, and none of that money went to the actual carrier.
And here’s where it turns criminal:
Gollawalla Trucking is now bypassing everyone, going straight to our customer demanding payment.
Meanwhile, Five Star has the audacity to bill us, despite never hauling a single pallet and breaching the contract they signed.
This Was Not a Mistake—This Was a Business Model
This wasn’t some accidental dispatch mishap. This was calculated.
Five Star knowingly violated our agreement by brokering out a load they weren’t authorized to touch.
They padded the rate by $2,300 while doing nothing but forwarding emails.
Gollawalla Trucking, instead of seeking rightful payment through the proper channels, tried to shake down our customer directly—a shady and aggressive move that crosses every professional line.
When caught, Five Star claimed Gollawalla was a “sister company.” Total lie. We have mismatched EINs, ownership info, and communication records that prove otherwise.
Our Losses
Because of this orchestrated scam, our customer has already deducted $2,300 from our invoice. That’s real money out of our pocket.
And yet, Five Star is still demanding payment like they did nothing wrong.
Our Position
Let’s set the record straight:
We only brokered this load to Five Star.
We did NOT authorize any rebrokering.
We will NOT pay Five Star.
We are willing to pay Gollawalla—but only upon receiving original, signed BOLs and proof they weren’t paid.
But rest assured, we will not reward contract violations or participate in extortion, period.
What Needs to Happen Next
This isn’t just an isolated incident. This is a repeatable scam pattern—one that’s been quietly bleeding this industry dry.
We are calling on:
FMCSA and all relevant regulatory bodies to investigate MC#01659900 (Five Star Logistics Inc.) and MC#01155433 (Gollawalla Trucking LLC) immediately.
A full audit of their operating authority and conduct.
Stronger enforcement against unauthorized brokering and fraud.
Final Word
Fraud like this threatens the entire freight ecosystem—it’s bad for brokers, carriers, shippers, and ultimately consumers. If we don’t take action, the scammers win.
To those running these schemes: you’ve been exposed.
To the rest of the industry: stay vigilant, verify MCs, and read your carrier contracts like your business depends on it—because it does.
I’m sharing this not just as the broker of record—but as the direct victim of this scam.
And if you're in this industry, it could happen to you next.
The Players Behind the Scheme
Five Star Logistics Inc. – MC#01659900
Gollawalla Trucking LLC – MC#01155433
American Logistics (middle party with zero accountability)
This web of deception began like any normal load. It ended with fraud, triple brokering, and theft.
Timeline of the Fraud
We tendered the load to Five Star Logistics at a contracted rate of $6,400, with one condition made crystal clear:
"Double brokering is strictly prohibited. Any instance will result in non-payment.”
Five Star ignored that, illegally rebrokering the load to American Logistics.
American Logistics passed it again—this time to Gollawalla Trucking, who ultimately moved the load... for $8,700.
That’s a $2,300 markup from the original rate, and none of that money went to the actual carrier.
And here’s where it turns criminal:
Gollawalla Trucking is now bypassing everyone, going straight to our customer demanding payment.
Meanwhile, Five Star has the audacity to bill us, despite never hauling a single pallet and breaching the contract they signed.
This Was Not a Mistake—This Was a Business Model
This wasn’t some accidental dispatch mishap. This was calculated.
Five Star knowingly violated our agreement by brokering out a load they weren’t authorized to touch.
They padded the rate by $2,300 while doing nothing but forwarding emails.
Gollawalla Trucking, instead of seeking rightful payment through the proper channels, tried to shake down our customer directly—a shady and aggressive move that crosses every professional line.
When caught, Five Star claimed Gollawalla was a “sister company.” Total lie. We have mismatched EINs, ownership info, and communication records that prove otherwise.
Our Losses
Because of this orchestrated scam, our customer has already deducted $2,300 from our invoice. That’s real money out of our pocket.
And yet, Five Star is still demanding payment like they did nothing wrong.
Our Position
Let’s set the record straight:
We only brokered this load to Five Star.
We did NOT authorize any rebrokering.
We will NOT pay Five Star.
We are willing to pay Gollawalla—but only upon receiving original, signed BOLs and proof they weren’t paid.
But rest assured, we will not reward contract violations or participate in extortion, period.
What Needs to Happen Next
This isn’t just an isolated incident. This is a repeatable scam pattern—one that’s been quietly bleeding this industry dry.
We are calling on:
FMCSA and all relevant regulatory bodies to investigate MC#01659900 (Five Star Logistics Inc.) and MC#01155433 (Gollawalla Trucking LLC) immediately.
A full audit of their operating authority and conduct.
Stronger enforcement against unauthorized brokering and fraud.
Final Word
Fraud like this threatens the entire freight ecosystem—it’s bad for brokers, carriers, shippers, and ultimately consumers. If we don’t take action, the scammers win.
To those running these schemes: you’ve been exposed.
To the rest of the industry: stay vigilant, verify MCs, and read your carrier contracts like your business depends on it—because it does.
