99:(RILA). A pattern emerged of crime rings consisting of two parts—persons who would steal a high volume of goods from multiple stores, and others who would sell the stolen goods, sometimes via online marketplaces, converting them into cash. Walmart and Amazon posted banners on their websites asking their customers to report products for sale on other sites that they believed to have been stolen, in line with a new U.S. law that went into effect in June 2023.
158:
106:(NRF) said that same month that the effect of theft on retailers’ bottom lines was about the same as in previous years, with total retail shrinkage at $ 112 billion in 2022 (1.55% of sales), up from $ 93.9 billion (1.44% of sales) in 2021. External theft, including organized retail crime, represented 36% of losses, versus 37% in 2021. Other contributors were employee/internal theft (29%), and process/control failures (26%).
43:, and cargo diversion. One person acting alone is not considered an example of organized retail crime. Working in teams, some create distractions while others steal items judiciously, indiscriminately or violently. Often, they are stocking up on specified items at the request of the organized crime or gang leader. It is not uncommon for the criminals to have accomplices working in the retail store or corporation.
235:
transnational criminal organizations’ portfolios, that presents a significant financial and public safety risk". They indicate that one type of operation is for criminal operatives to smuggle destitute people into a country and have them pay for their transport by conducting directed retail shop lifting, often moving from city to city.
425:
176:, R-Ohio, introduced the Organized Retail Crime Act of 2008 that would make it a felony to engage in activities that further organized retail crime. Specific and narrow obligations upon on-line marketplaces known to be used by high-volume sellers of stolen merchandise are also included to benefit legitimate online businesses.
132:
In
January 2013, in Pennsylvania, West York Police (York County) announced the arrest of over 130 people and the organizer of a major organized retail crime ring in which the individuals targeted over 90 stores at over 300 locations in 5 counties in Pennsylvania and 2 counties in northern Maryland,
91:
Organized retail crime rose by 2023, when
Nordstrom, Macy’s, and Old Navy all publicized major organized shoplifting activity. Target claimed in September 2023 that theft and organized retail crime helped drive its $ 500 million decrease in annual profits. Some store branches of major chains were
234:
Some criminal organizations are multi-national (or trans-national) with operations in and between several different countries. ACAMS, Largest
International Financial Crime Prevention Community Worldwide, has said: “Organized retail crime (ORC) is a low-risk, high-reward business line for
82:
The
National Retail Association says: "Individuals are often assumed to be working alone when shoplifting however, commonly they are not working alone but with others who create distractions whilst goods are stolen, in order to meet the requirements of the crime ring leader".
136:
In
December 2023, husband and wife Kenneth and Michelle Mack were arrested in the San Diego area on charges of operating a retail crime empire centered on shoplifting. The Macks resold cosmetics worth $ 8 million, stolen by a dozen women from
202:
at the
Department of Homeland Security to improve coordination between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Companion legislation was introduced later in 2023 in the House of Representatives (H.R. 895), sponsored by Reps.
149:. In July 2024, the Macks pleaded guilty to organized retail theft and conspiring to commit organized retail theft. They were each sentenced to five years and four months in prison and required to pay $ 3 million in restitution.
120:
In early 2008 in
Florida, a single shoplifting investigation turned up a massive organized enterprise. Operating for at least five years, criminals had stolen up to $ 100 million in medicine, health and beauty goods.
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agents pulled over a rental truck, leading them to $ 2.7 million in stolen assets. The goods included $ 1 million in stolen baby formula that was stored in rodent-infested garages with no temperature control.
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California made organized retail theft a distinct crime. In 2024, California lawmakers proposed expanding penalties for individuals involved in organized retail theft.
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840:
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The Online Office of
Congressman Brad Ellsworth - July 15, 2008: Ellsworth, Jordan Introduce Bill to Fight Organized Retail Crime, Protect Online Consumers
198:, which would update current federal criminal penalties related to organized retail crime and establish a new law enforcement coordination center within
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183:, D-Ill. introduced the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2008 that would give law enforcement the ability to prosecute, among other things.
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864:
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in 2021 was attributable to ORC. Data actually showed that 37% of shrinkage was attributable to all external theft, not limited to ORC.
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annual crime survey for the financial year 2013-2014 estimated that organized retail crime accounted for 40% of all shop thefts.
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is co-sponsored by nearly 70 other representatives. This legislation is supported by the NRF and other retail industry groups.
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From 2022 through August 2023, 9 U.S. states passed laws to impose harsher penalties for organized retail crime offenses.
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372:
869:
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23:) refers to professional criminal enterprises ranging from regional gangs to international crime rings and other
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estimated in 2010 that the losses attributed to organized retail crime were as high as $ 30 billion a year.
164:, which third party collection companies/ lawyers mail to people who are caught shoplifting from retailers
452:"This isn't theft of need. A more insidious type of crime is pushing some stores to close | CNN Business"
103:
348:"Organized retail theft can involve violence, as Toronto police warn shoppers ahead of holiday season"
601:"Multimillion-dollar Theft Ring is Broken | theledger.com | The Ledger | Lakeland, FL"
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claimed in 2023 that organized retail crime "costs
Canadians retailers around $ 5 billion per year."
59:
255:
2023 Retail
Security Survey, The state of national (USA) retail security and organized retail crime
71:
835:
600:
582:"Democratic lawmakers introduce legislation to target organized retail theft, online resellers"
530:"Retailers are shaping a wave of laws to crack down on organized theft — here's how they do it"
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191:
161:
195:
645:"Inside the organized crime rings plaguing retailers including Ulta, T.J. Maxx and Walgreens"
426:"Thieves Steal Macy's, Old Navy Clothing as Analysts See 'Turning Point' for Retail Shrink"
305:
747:
222:
In December 2023, NRF retracted a claim it had made in April that "nearly half" of retail
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763:"Retail lobby group's retraction of key crime claim shows how hard it is to track theft"
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689:"Retail crime 'queenpin' faces five years in prison, millions in restitution"
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664:"California woman pleads guilty to running $ 8m cosmetics retail theft ring"
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504:"Retail theft isn't actually increasing much, major industry study finds"
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478:"Explainer: 'Organized' retail crime: a 'multi-billion dollar problem'"
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173:
157:
212:
643:
Fonrouge, Gabrielle; Zamost, Scott; Reagan, Courtney (2024-03-12).
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142:
556:"The Crime Rings Stealing Everything from Purses to Power Tools"
399:"Nordstrom in Los Angeles ransacked by mob of nearly 50 people"
327:"Retail crime in UK at 10-year high, industry report says"
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Theft had risen to $ 70 billion in 2020, according to the
844:
826:
Homeland Security Investigations, Operation Boiling Point
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47:
831:
Organized Theft Groups and Organized Retail Crime, ACAMS
27:
focussing on retail environments. Operations include
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642:
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with an estimated loss to retailers at $ 1 million.
836:National Retail Federation, Organized Retail Crime
801:Organized Theft Groups and Organized Retail Crime
196:the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (S. 140)
851:
423:
748:"The rising toll of organized retail crime"
841:Major Middle Eastern Crime Ring Dismantled
778:Major Middle Eastern Crime Ring Dismantled
152:
761:Fonrouge, Gabrielle (December 7, 2023).
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527:
449:
251:
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306:"FBI — Fighting Organized Retail Theft"
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686:
661:
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528:Fonrouge, Gabrielle (11 August 2023).
502:Reagan, Courtney (26 September 2023).
501:
475:
450:Kavilanz, Parija (27 September 2023).
424:Dobrosielski, Chelsea (22 June 2023).
620:
865:Organized crime in the United States
713:"FDsys - Browse Congressional Bills"
662:Vargas, Ramon Antonio (2024-07-17).
97:Retail Industry Leaders Association
13:
623:"Retailers Organize Against Crime"
476:Cavale, Siddharth (29 June 2023).
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287:, British Retail Consortium, 2023
261:, National Retail Federation, USA
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200:Homeland Security Investigations
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599:Walter, Shoshana (2008-01-25).
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554:Williams, Paige (2024-03-18).
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58:In the UK, respondents to the
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373:"Organised Crime & Gangs"
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687:Zamost, Scott (2024-07-19).
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7:
377:National Retail Association
60:British Retail Consortium's
10:
891:
718:. Frwebgate.access.gpo.gov
104:National Retail Federation
281:Crime Survey, 2023 Report
65:
870:Organized crime activity
179:On August 1, 2008, Sen.
168:On July 15, 2008, Reps.
72:Retail Council of Canada
875:Retailing-related crime
194:, D-Nevada, introduced
621:Siljander, Raymond P.
329:. BBC News. 2015-01-20
192:Catherine Cortez Masto
186:In January 2023, Sen.
165:
153:Current US legislation
17:Organized retail crime
625:. Security Management
308:. Fbi.gov. 2010-04-13
160:
145:and other stores, on
252:Johnston, D (2023),
230:Multi-national crime
224:inventory shrinkage
190:, R-Iowa, and Sen.
162:Civil demand letter
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750:. 28 August 2023.
586:Los Angeles Times
172:, D-Indiana, and
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25:organized crime
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820:External links
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170:Brad Ellsworth
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54:United Kingdom
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102:However, the
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603:. The Ledger
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354:. 2023-10-03
352:Toronto Star
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29:truckjacking
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785:11 November
781:, FBI, 2013
379:. Australia
291:10 November
181:Dick Durbin
41:cargo theft
33:shoplifting
854:Categories
808:14 October
722:2013-03-16
698:2024-07-19
673:2024-07-19
629:2012-01-29
607:2012-01-29
539:8 November
513:8 November
487:8 November
461:8 November
435:8 November
409:8 November
383:9 November
358:2023-12-08
333:2015-11-22
312:2013-03-16
265:11 October
239:References
217:Dina Titus
174:Jim Jordan
568:0028-792X
403:TODAY.com
213:Susie Lee
78:Australia
205:Ken Buck
92:closed.
765:. CNBC.
482:Reuters
143:Sephora
566:
147:Amazon
124:Texas
66:Canada
860:Theft
716:(PDF)
285:(PDF)
259:(PDF)
810:2023
787:2023
649:CNBC
564:ISSN
541:2023
534:CNBC
515:2023
508:CNBC
489:2023
463:2023
437:2023
411:2023
385:2023
293:2023
267:2023
215:and
139:Ulta
70:The
46:The
845:FBI
456:CNN
126:FBI
48:FBI
21:ORC
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19:(
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
