Impact of Counterfeit and Stolen Goods

‘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.

Impact of Counterfeit and Stolen Goods

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

Online purchases, counterfeit products among 2020’s top scams

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

Counterfeits could turn a bright Black Friday bleak

Organized Retail Crime Associations: The Complete List

Online shopping vulnerable to stolen, counterfeit items

Organized crime peddlers hawk products not ready for prime time

Criminal Networks Creating Amazon 'Crime' Day

Buyer Beware: Counterfeit Goods Flooding the Digital Retail Market

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

Three Arrested in $37K+ Beauty Theft ORC Ring

Amazon Prime Day must come with 'buyer beware' warning

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

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

How an Amazon Bribery Scheme Became a $100 Million Swindle

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

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

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

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

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

Counterfeit goods from China are crushing American small businesses

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

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

Many shoppers worry about fake goods during COVID-19 outbreak

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

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

9 accused in organized $102K theft from Safeway

How Organized Retail Crime Affects the Retail Industry

Can retailers take a bite out of organized retail crime?

AI is a New Weapon in the Battle Against Counterfeit

Feds bust a $20 million shoplifting ring

The Evolution of Organized Retail Crime in Retail Today

Cyber Fraud and the Growing Threat of Organized Retail Crime

AG launches new unit to address retail organized crime

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

Online Marketplaces Face More Heat over Fraud

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

Bezos faces US House Judiciary Committee over marketplace fairness, counterfeits

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

Lawmakers Propose Making E-Commerce Companies Liable for Counterfeits

Can retailers combat consumer desire for counterfeits?

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

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

Busting Underground Shoplifting Rings: Inside Organized Retail Crime Raids

U.S. Signals Crackdown on Counterfeit Goods Sold Online

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