Organized Retail Crime

Book excerpt: Organised retail crime (ORC), also known as organised retail theft, typically refers to large-scale retail theft and fraud by organised groups of professional shoplifters or "boosters." The organised crime rings resell this illegally acquired merchandise via a variety of "fencing" operations such as flea markets, swap meets, pawn shops, and online marketplaces. These goods are sold to both individual buyers as well as retailers. This book provides an overview of organised retail crime rings, their operations, and goods targeted, and examines the domestic impact of ORC in the arenas of the economy, public health and safety, and domestic security. This book also outlines current efforts by retailers, resale markets and the federal government to combat ORC.