Impact of Counterfeit and Stolen Goods

Shoplifting syndicates costing retailers billions

Industry insiders are pointing to the ease of online reselling for helping crime rings thrive.

Mob-like criminals are getting into retail crime

Businesses and law enforcement, both in New Mexico and across the nation, are now battling a new epidemic: organized retail crime.

Retailers Are Battling a $45 Billion Crime Spree

Retailers are spending millions to combat organized rings that steal from their stores in bulk and peddle goods online, often on Amazon

Link Between Retail Crime and Human Trafficking

Capturing an accurate global snapshot of human trafficking data is virtually impossible.

Why counterfeit beauty products are booming

As more customers shop online, fake products are flooding in. Brands, marketplaces and law enforcement need to work together to stem the flow.

Feds: Thieves stole used urine tubes from Beaumont, sold them on eBay, Amazon

Two former Beaumont employees have been charged with stealing medical devices and supplies from a hospital and reselling them on the internet, including tubes that had been previously used in surgeries.

Couple sells $300,000 in stolen baby formula on eBay

A Shelby County couple has pleaded guilty to selling more than $300,000 worth of stolen baby formula online.

The Dangers of Counterfeit Toys

Jennifer Gibbons of the Toy Association warns about The Dangers of Counterfeit Toys Sold on E-Commerce Platforms

Amazon, Facebook, eBay partly to blame

Organized retail crime continues to be a problem across the country.

Shoplifters walk out of Lowe's with full carts

Shoplifting incidents caught on camera have been cropping up across the country in recent months

Illinois attorney general unveils new plan to protect retailers from organized crimes

This task force is for mass burglaries, those that steal thousands of dollars worth of items

4 arrested in theft of $2 million in goods from 43 California stores

Four people were arrested by CA Highway Patrol officers on suspicion of stealing nearly $2 million worth of retail products from 43 different stores

Suspects may be part of statewide theft ring

Police in Grove City say thousands of dollars worth of merchandise was stolen from a Home Depot, and the theft may be part of a bigger crime.

Mag Mile robbery crew stole purses worth $43K

Chicago police said Monday they are on the lookout for a team of thieves hitting high-end retail shops along the Mag Mile.

Schumer Calls for Crackdown on Fake Vaccine Cards

The Senate’s top Democrat says federal law enforcement officials need to crack down on fake COVID-19 vaccination cards being sold online.

Pharmacist was arrested for selling vaccine cards

Pharmacist from Chicago was arrested Tuesday on charges related to selling 125 authentic CDC vaccination cards to unvaccinated buyers on eBay.

Smuggling ring trafficked over $130M

Four members of an international smuggling ring were indicted in federal court for allegedly trafficking over $130M in counterfeit goods

Amazon to pay shoppers hurt by others' products

Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O) on Tuesday said it would pay customers who suffer injuries or property damage from defective goods

Judge ups sentence for woman in aggressive thefts

A federal judge this week sentenced a Windsor woman to three years in prison — six months more than the maximum recommended by federal guidelines

Men charged in Dick’s Sporting Goods retail thefts

Police recently arrested two men who now face charges after they allegedly stole nearly $14,000 in items from various Dick’s Sporting Goods stores.

Home Depot plans to foil shoplifters

Home Depot is unveiling power tools that won't work unless they're properly scanned and activated at the register via Bluetooth technology.

New Law Targets Retail Crime (Broadcast)

Retail thefts getting bolder in California

California has two of the top five cities most targeted by organized retail thefts.

Counterfeiters move on Apple’s $16B AirPod market

Counterfeit earbud seizures at the border are up 63% so far this year.

Long Island A Hot Spot Of High-End Shoplifting

We are seeing a significant spike in shoplifting across the nation, and here at home.

Man stole $9k in merchandise from two AT&T stores

A 19-year-old Maryland man stole nearly $9,000 in merchandise from two AT&T stores in York County, displaying a gun at one store, police said.

Federal regulators sue Amazon

Federal regulators sue Amazon over firm’s refusal to recall dangerous products

Stolen jeans worth thousands found in theft bust

Vacaville police believe one suspect was involved in other thefts from Targets across 11 counties and 30 cities with an estimated loss of over $74,000

New laws to crackdown on ‘organized retail crime’

Albuquerque residents got some good news last week when elected officials announced a new initiative to crack down on “organized retail crime”

Handbag thieves sprinting out of Neiman Marcus

Police are investigating a wild case of shoplifting at Neiman Marcus in San Francisco's Union Square

Target, Walgreens close early due to thefts in CA

Target and Walgreens are heightening security efforts in major cities across California amid increased theft and crime, new reports suggest.

Warehouse of Bogus Batteries Destined for Sale

The Feds said it found 44,000 counterfeit batteries in a California warehouse that were destined to be sold on eBay and Amazon.

Suspects accused of shoplifting sunglasses

Two women accused of shoplifting thousands of dollars worth of sunglasses are now facing charges.

La Puente man admits selling counterfeit batteries

A La Puente man faces up to 22 years in federal prison for his role in a scheme to ship counterfeit lithium-ion batteries for laptops and cell phones

Rochester Pawn Shop Owner Pleads Guilty

Rochester Pawn Shop Owner Pleads Guilty To Selling More Than A million Dollars Worth Of Stolen Goods

Arrested Modesto suspects in rash of retail thefts

Arrested retail theft suspects believed tied to crimes across Stanislaus, SJ counties

Shoplifting on the rise in Hawaii

Businesses said shoplifting became an even bigger problem since the pandemic started.

Manteca Ulta theft: Police bust retail crime group

The Manteca Police Department busted two of the suspects after they tried to steal more than $4,000 worth of fragrance from Ulta.

Houston paid $1.7M in counterfeit N95 masks

The city of Houston spent more than a million dollars on counterfeit masks, according to court documents.

Treasure Valley counterfeit cellphones trial

The nine defendants have been awaiting trial since their arrests in a federal raid in August 2018, which came after a years-long covert investigation.

Police allegedly find more than $500K worth of stolen retail items, $41K cash in Vegas home

Las Vegas police say a man and woman face charges of participating in an organized retail theft ring after officers allegedly found more than $500,000 worth of stolen retail merchandise and $41,000 in cash at their home.

Scammers selling counterfeit car seats to families online, putting children's lives in danger

An online scam selling counterfeit car seats is putting Northeast Ohio families at risk as four cases have been reported to Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital.

Seattle Police arrest 53 in retail theft operation

Seattle Police say they arrested over 50 people Wednesday in a citywide retail theft operation.

Police: 3 arrested for shoplifting in Elizabethtown are connected to statewide theft ring

Police in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, arrested three people last week who are linked to multiple shoplifting cases around the state.

Waterloo couple allegedly stole $2,300 in merchandise from local stores

Two people were arrested Monday night after police said they were caught stealing more than $1,300 worth of merchandise from Dick’s Sporting Goods in Cedar Rapids.

Etsy is full of illicit products it claims to ban

Etsy says handcrafted items are its "heart and soul." But the carved miniature sculptures known as netsuke probably aren't what it had in mind.

7 indicted in large money-laundering scheme

The $5 million steal-and-resell operation that included thefts from giant retailers Home Depot, Lowe's and Target

We Need Washington to Put Safety Ahead of Amazon

The COVID-19 pandemic changed our shopping habits overnight, forcing many of us to turn to online platforms for our needs.

Why Are Etsy & eBay Scaring Sellers?

Over the weekend both Etsy and eBay contacted US sellers drawing their attention to proposed legislation called the Cassidy INFORM Consumers Act.

San Francisco’s Shoplifting Surge

The mundane crime of shoplifting has spun out of control in San Francisco, forcing some chain stores to close.

150K in Handbags Stolen in Grab-and-Run Robbery

Police release surveillance images of some of the suspects in brazen daytime robbery

Over 200K People Involved in Posting Fake Reviews

The data shows third-party Amazon vendors working with customers to reward fake, positive reviews.

Leominster store owner used shoplifters to steal

The owner of a Leominster video store was arrested after police said he hired “known drug addicts and prolific shoplifters” to steal items for him.

7 Michiganders stole $250,000 from Walmart

Seven Michigan residents stole more than $250,000 from Walmart across 35 states, a federal indictment alleges.

Suspects sought after stealing $4K in perfume

Menomonee Falls police are investigating a retail theft from Ulta Beauty on Saturday, May 1.

Entering the Era of the Super Fake

luxury replica bags are booming across social media as designers desperately try to stop their unethical spread.

Counterfeiters turn attention to smaller business

A new study has found that counterfeiters are increasingly targeting small and medium sized businesses (SMBs)

Amazon Prohibited From Selling Counterfeit masks

A court order is appropriate to prevent Amazon.com Inc. from selling or posting allegedly counterfeit disposable facemasks on its website.

Retail Trade Group Targets Counterfeit Marketing

Influencer accounts peddling fake designer goods are taking hold on social platforms, according to an AAFA report Wednesday.

CBP Officers Seize $4.26 Million in Fake Jewelry

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Cincinnati seized 9,377 pieces of jewelry from a shipment originating in China

Atlanta father, daughter plead guilty in $5 million shoplifting scheme

Atlanta man and his daughter face federal prison time after pleading guilty in the elaborate multi-million dollar scheme

1 In 5 Fake Ecommerce Listings Are 3% Of Sellers

What happens when digital advertising gets thrown into the mix to sell the counterfeit products?

Buy Safe America Coalition backs Big Tech Accountability Platform memo, seeks to shore up support for INFORM ACT

Buy Safe America Coalition has sent a letter of support to Republican Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers in response to a recent memo.

Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Prada Push Blockchain to Ensure Authenticity

LVMH, Cartier and Prada SpA are joining forces to offer a blockchain solution to their customers seeking an extra seal of authenticity for goods.

Brands File Suit as Counterfeit Face Masks Continue to Pop Up Online

Chanel is accusing a Miami-based retailer of running afoul of federal trademark law by using its logo on garments without authorization.

Grand jury indicts 3 on robbery charges; second such charges levied in 2 days

A grand jury in Aurora’s largest judicial district has indicted a trio of men from Lakewood and Denver on a litany of felony charges

The “Real” Problem: Knockoffs Are Cheap but Exact a Heavy Price

At the product level and from a visual perspective, counterfeiters can now make goods virtually indistinguishable from the real thing.

How Amazon Strong-Arms Partners Using Its Power Across Multiple Businesses

A heavyweight in retail, cloud computing, digital advertising and streaming, the tech giant compels vendors in one market to engage with it in others.

How US lawmakers can keep supply chains secure from counterfeits

Consumers have increasingly come to rely on e-commerce platforms for all of their shopping needs amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and criminal networks are doubling down on efforts to take advantage of this trend to peddle unsafe and defective merchandise to unwary buyers.

Fake CDC Vaccine ID Cards Being Sold Online In Illinois

They look identical to the cards you get after vaccination, but could land you in hot water with authorities.

Oregon Couple Ran Counterfeit Goods Scheme From US Embassy

A U.S. Department of State employee and his spouse were sentenced for their roles in an international conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit goods from the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Retailers embrace Senate effort to fight fakes sold through marketplaces

Several retailers and retail organizations on Tuesday applauded the introduction of congressional legislation aimed at curtailing the sale of fake and stolen goods through online marketplaces.

Retailers embrace Senate effort to fight fakes sold through marketplaces

Several retailers and retail organizations on Tuesday applauded the introduction of congressional legislation aimed at curtailing the sale of fake and stolen goods through online marketplaces.

North Texas feds say crime ring traveled U.S. to steal retail goods and sell on Amazon

A Coppell couple are accused of fencing the stolen merchandise by selling it on Amazon and eBay.

Homeland Security seizes more than 11 million counterfeit N95 in nationwide scam

More than 11 million counterfeit N95 masks across five states have been seized by the Department of Homeland Security in recent weeks, and authorities say suspected victims of the scam include hospitals and medical facilities in at least 12 states.

‘Organized Retail Crime’ Is Growing (And Not Just Because Of The Pandemic)

Organized crime rings are taking advantage of the pandemic, looser police enforcement and a softening in anti-shoplifting laws to swipe tons of merchandise from retail stores and warehouses across the United States.

Online purchases, counterfeit products among 2020’s top scams

Scammers have been taking advantage of people during the pandemic as unemployment and online shopping increased.

DICK’S Sporting Goods and Rite Aid Join Coalition to Combat Sale of Fraudulent Goods

These companies joined the coalition amid the holiday season that is expected to bring about record levels of online shopping and sales.

Counterfeits could turn a bright Black Friday bleak

Counterfeit products also threaten the integrity of brands, as 25% of respondents think removing counterfeits should be done by the brand.

Organized Retail Crime Associations: The Complete List

LP Magazine's comprehensive list of organized retail crime associations is designed to be a helpful resource for retailers and law enforcement.

Online shopping vulnerable to stolen, counterfeit items

And the problem goes even deeper than stolen goods, as knockoff products designed to deceive consumers are flooding online marketplaces.

Organized crime peddlers hawk products not ready for prime time

The big problem is that platforms such as Amazon constitute a breeding ground for fraud. In other words, what looks real may not be so.

Criminal Networks Creating Amazon 'Crime' Day

Today, criminal networks are distributing their stolen products on sites like Amazon.com, where lax rules allow them to get away with it.

Buyer Beware: Counterfeit Goods Flooding the Digital Retail Market

Broadly speaking, the problem involves third-party, online platforms where criminal networks have been able to anonymously sell stolen or counterfeit products to consumers who may not know any better.

Amazon zigs and zags in latest strategy to avoid product liability claims

In August, the company came out in favor of a proposed California law that would make it easier for injured consumers to hold electronic retailers responsible for allowing defective products to reach the marketplace.

Three Arrested in $37K+ Beauty Theft ORC Ring

Close to $40,000 in merchandise was stolen from ULTA Beauty stores across the Northeast Florida area and several other counties according to new documents.

Amazon Prime Day must come with 'buyer beware' warning

While Prime Day is typically one of the largest shopping holidays, experts are predicting the event is poised for an even greater boom with consumers doing more of their shopping online this year amid the pandemic.

Dozens of Amazon's own products have been reported as dangerous -- melting, exploding or even bursting into flames

Since 2016, at least 1,500 reviews, covering more than 70 items, have described products exploding, catching on fire, smoking, melting, causing electrical malfunctions or otherwise posing risks, according to an analysis of AmazonBasics electronics and appliances listed on its website.

Bezos admits stolen and counterfeit goods being sold on Amazon, unsure of the seller verification process

Amazon CEO Bezos admits, that stolen and counterfeit products are being sold across Amazon’s marketplace.

How an Amazon Bribery Scheme Became a $100 Million Swindle

Hundreds of thousands of dollars crisscross the globe via MoneyGram, PayPal, and foreign bank accounts in a plot to swindle more than $100 million from the world’s most valuable internet retailer and its customers.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Seize $4.3M in Fake Jordans, Yeezys...Agents Say It's From China

Federal agents say a massive shipment of footwear on its way to Mexico contained millions of dollars worth of fake shoes -- including some coveted, rare Jordans and Yeezys.

23 charged in multi-million dollar shoplifting ring in New Jersey

The drivers would load up a car of five to 10 shoplifters and drop them off at retail locations throughout New Jersey and New York.

Police: 70-year-old woman ran million-dollar theft ring that paid heroin addicts to steal

Investigators said heroin addicts were being paid to steal from places like Target, Home Depot, Kroger and Meijer, as part of a fencing operation with the stolen goods then being sold out of Cas Bar.

How Amazon’s quest for more, cheaper products has resulted in a flea market of fakes

Former executives say e-commerce giant, which last year spent $400 million fighting fraud and abuse, has prioritized its broad selection over anti-counterfeiting.

Traffic stop in Mooresville leads to seizure of $360K in counterfeit designer goods

The knock-offs seized in the traffic stop had an estimated retail value of $360,400. Estimated retail value is the amount the genuine trademarked items would sell for.

Counterfeit goods from China are crushing American small businesses

The Department of Homeland Security reported seizures of counterfeit goods at U.S. borders have increased ten-fold over the past two decades.

Baby formula theft ring busted after suspects hit stores from Portland to Salem, police say

Pair stole about $11,537 worth of infant formula from Safeway stores in Oregon and in Washington state on nearly 100 occasions between last November and March, investigators allege.

Arizona couple allegedly ran shoplifting ring, sold stolen beauty items online for $2.7M

A husband and wife in Arizona allegedly ran a shoplifting ring and then sold stolen health and beauty products online in a yearslong scheme that netted the couple millions of dollars.

Many shoppers worry about fake goods during COVID-19 outbreak

As shopping moves online, Red Points' research brings to light the importance of combating counterfeit goods sold in e-commerce marketplaces.

Behind the scenes of Home Depot’s operation to take down professional shoplifters

In the past three quarters, Home Depot reported that an increase in “shrink” hurt its financial results. Retail shrinkage includes organized retail crime.

Steal it Yourself – How Organized Retail Crime is Getting Rich Off of DIY Stores

Professional shoplifters are typically part of an intricate, complicated criminal network often referred to as Organized Retail Crime (ORC).

9 accused in organized $102K theft from Safeway

Recently, KOIN 6 News rode along with the Gresham Police Department and ORC investigators from Safeway as they took down a team of 9 people suspected of stealing more than $102,000 in product from Safeway.

How Organized Retail Crime Affects the Retail Industry

Organized Retail Crime is a serious issue for global retailers — and the threat is increasing by the minute.

Can retailers take a bite out of organized retail crime?

Shoplifting is a perennial problem for retailers, but some sectors of retail have observed an uptick in an even more costly — and sometimes more dangerous — form of theft.

AI is a New Weapon in the Battle Against Counterfeit

The technology is already used in manufacturing to find defects and could be used in a similar way to find counterfeits.

Feds bust a $20 million shoplifting ring

One defendant grabbed a security officer by the throat and threw her to the ground while running from a theft at Abercrombie & Fitch.

The Evolution of Organized Retail Crime in Retail Today

The organized retail crime phenomenon has become even more organized, and the thefts and frauds committed have become more complex and lucrative.

Cyber Fraud and the Growing Threat of Organized Retail Crime

With ORC being one of the top challenges that retailers faced in 2019, the report also assesses what may be yet to come in 2020.

AG launches new unit to address retail organized crime

KOB 4 Investigates has previously highlighted the problem of serial shoplifters who rip of big box retail stores and sell the stolen goods, often online.

Police bust 'amazing' $15,000-a-day shoplifting ring

The ring operators stored stolen items in the warehouse and sold them on the Internet through eBay, Amazon.com and other sites, investigators said.

Online Marketplaces Face More Heat over Fraud

Online marketplaces, including the one operated by Amazon, should verify seller information.

Should online marketplaces be required to verify third-party sellers for safety’s sake?

The continued anonymity and unregulated environment in which these platforms operate have made them a stage to sell products that would never be allowed on a store shelf.

Bezos faces US House Judiciary Committee over marketplace fairness, counterfeits

Amazon's CEO and founder defended its third-party sales and touted advantages for both consumers and sellers, but he didn't have all the answers.

Retail Shrink Hit $61.7 Billion Last Year—Here’s Why

Retailers are calling for stricter police enforcement and laws to battle theft, fraud and losses from retail “shrink” that increased to $61.7 billion in 2019.

Lawmakers Propose Making E-Commerce Companies Liable for Counterfeits

A bipartisan House bill aims to stem the flow of fake goods from China by putting pressure on companies like Amazon.

Can retailers combat consumer desire for counterfeits?

Online marketplaces have launched initiatives aimed at addressing counterfeit sales, but those efforts can be cumbersome for brands.

U.S. Cracks Down on Counterfeits in a Warning Shot to China

The Trump administration is stepping up searches and squeezing online sellers like Amazon to make sure Beijing is sticking to a partial trade deal.

Inside Home Depot’s efforts to stop a growing theft problem at its stores

The Utah Attorney General’s Office worked with Home Depot and other retailers on a multimillion-dollar operation against seven pawn shops selling stolen goods.

Busting Underground Shoplifting Rings: Inside Organized Retail Crime Raids

Police say big retail stores, from Walgreens to J.C. Penny, are getting hit by highly sophisticated shoplifting networks that steal and resell everything from underwear to razors to milk.

U.S. Signals Crackdown on Counterfeit Goods Sold Online

WSJ investigates how unsafe products, including children's products and toys, have become available for purchase.