FBI: Immigrant shoplifters fueling foreign-run theft rings in US retail
Federal Investigators Uncover International Crime Rings Behind Major Retail Thefts
Federal investigators have made a startling discovery, linking major retail theft incidents to criminal organizations in Europe and South America. These sophisticated foreign crime rings are sending non-U.S. citizens into the United States with one objective: to steal.
According to officials from the FBI and Department of Homeland Security, these thefts have contributed to a staggering $112 billion in retail losses in 2022, a significant increase from $94 billion in 2021. The impact is undeniable, and action needs to be taken.
Foreign-Based Crime Rings Target U.S. Retailers
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations arm has launched investigations into these organized crime rings. Their focus is on identifying the masterminds behind these operations, and they have successfully uncovered several foreign-based groups that continue to target and harm U.S. retailers.
“One such example is the South American Theft Groups (SATGs), which include organizations based in Colombia, Chile, and other countries,” said Michael J. Krol, special agent in charge for HSI, in written testimony. “These groups recruit members and facilitate travel into the United States for individuals who then commit strategic thefts of high-value electronic devices. Items are stolen, consolidated, shipped to another location in the United States, and ultimately illicitly exported to foreign countries.”
Another notable crime ring is the Romanian organized theft groups (ROTG) based in Eastern Europe. These groups recruit individuals to travel to the U.S. to commit various crimes, including retail theft.
“A recent HSI investigation in Missouri revealed an ROTG, comprised of previously deported individuals, that wired illicit proceeds to Romania and other international destinations,” Krol said.
International Collaboration to Combat Retail Theft
The FBI has launched an initiative targeting the South American theft groups and has shared intelligence with law enforcement agencies worldwide. These groups primarily consist of citizens from Chile and other South American countries who exploit tourist visas to travel to and from the U.S. for the purpose of stealing and shipping stolen goods internationally.
In the government’s fiscal 2023 year, various agencies, including HSI, the Secret Service, ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, worked together to prevent suspected members of these crime rings from entering the U.S. and to apprehend immigrants already in the country.
Innovative Tactics Used by Eastern European Thieves
The National Retail Federation (NRF) has reported that a group of 170 Eastern European individuals has been using unique methods to steal merchandise from stores. These thieves wear specially designed skirts with hidden bags and pouches, allowing them to steal a significant amount of products. This group has been responsible for 168 incidents nationwide, resulting in nearly half a million dollars in stolen goods.
“For several years, we have had a group that travels from the West Coast to the East Coast for a 6–8-week period, stealing ink cartridges up and down the I-95 corridor. Investigations determined that this group operates an online ink cartridge store,” the NRF told the panel in a written statement. “They fly to Boston every year, renting a vehicle for the purpose of committing these thefts. They travel up and down the East Coast, stopping at several retail stores daily. The stolen product is shipped back to California.”
Although the identities of the suspects remain unknown, it is suspected that at least one of them is not a U.S. citizen and resides outside the country after being recorded crossing into Mexico at the border.
Call for Congressional Action
The NRF has urged Congress to pass the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act, which would facilitate collaboration between federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies. This unified effort would be a game changer in combating these organized crime rings.
“One of the challenges with investigating Organized Retail Theft is that most of these crimes appear initially as state offenses, such as shoplifting, that are not ordinarily reported to the FBI and may not have a clear connection to a transnational criminal organization,” said FBI Deputy Assistant Director Jose A. Perez. “To address this challenge, the FBI continually partners with state and local law enforcement to share intelligence on crime trends and patterns and create better networks to identify the criminal actors.”
It is crucial to take immediate action to protect U.S. retailers and prevent further losses caused by these international crime rings. Collaboration and intelligence sharing among law enforcement agencies are key to dismantling these operations and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
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How are retailers and law enforcement agencies working together to combat innovative theft tactics?
Have revealed that this group is from Eastern Europe and operates in an organized manner,” said Cathy Smith, vice president of loss prevention at the NRF.
To combat these innovative tactics, retailers and law enforcement agencies are working together to implement stricter security measures, enhance surveillance technology, and share intelligence to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. The NRF has recommended increased collaboration between retailers, security solution providers, and law enforcement agencies to develop new strategies to prevent and deter theft.
Conclusion
The uncovering of international crime rings behind major retail thefts highlights the complexity and global nature of modern criminal organizations. It is vital for federal investigators and law enforcement agencies to work together, share intelligence, and coordinate efforts to dismantle these crime rings and bring the perpetrators to justice. By implementing innovative strategies and tighter security measures, retailers can protect their businesses and provide a safer environment for their customers. The fight against international crime requires international collaboration, and it is through cooperation and diligence that the battle against these crime rings can be won.
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