Organized retail crime remains a serious problem for retailers across the country and around the world. Every day, there are countless stories about criminal enterprises victimizing stores, threatening the safety of customers and employees, and the very fabric of the retail industry. To give you a better feel for the vast impact of the problem, we have provided a glimpse into just a few of the incidents that took place in the month of January 2025.
Woman Pleads Guilty in New Hampshire Federal Court to Gift Card Scam
A woman who helped obtain millions of dollars in fraudulent gift cards will stay in jail as she waits to be sentenced. The US Attorney’s Office said the case was part of a conspiracy that spread overseas to China involving about $100 million in fraudulently obtained goods nationwide. Prosecutors said the suspect was personally responsible for acquiring and transferring $1.4 million worth of fraudulent gift cards. The scheme involved using illegal means to obtain the cards, which were then used to buy Apple products which were then shipped overseas. Three alleged co-conspirators have also been charged in connection with the investigation, and prosecutors said more people will face charges.
Prison Sentence Given to ORC Ringleader for National Scheme Resulting in Nearly $8 Million in Losses
Michelle Mack, the ringleader of an organized retail crime ring that spanned 21 California counties and involved an estimated $8 million worth of stolen beauty products, has been sentenced to five years and four months in prison and has been remanded to custody to serve that time in state prison. The husband and wife duo recruited many young women to enter makeup stores and commit bulk thefts of specific high-demand makeup products which they sold on their online Amazon storefront for a fraction of the retail price. As part of their plea deal, the Macks have forfeited all property and assets seized as part of this investigation, including their multi-million dollar home located in Bonsall, California.
Chinese National Jailed for Apple Gift Card Draining Scam in Pittsburgh
A Chinese national has been jailed after pleading guilty to an Apple gift card draining scam at Walmart stores in the Pittsburgh area. After the gift cards were loaded with value by unsuspecting purchasers, the defendant would drain the balances, leaving them with worthless cards. From there, he would alter the cards and redirect the funds to himself before returning them to store shelves. Customers who would then purchase the cards would have less than the value advertised. He was caught trying to leave a Walmart with more than 100 gift cards hidden in his jacket. Police found nearly 4,000 more gift cards in his vehicle, estimating nearly $1 million. They also found cash and equipment used to alter the cards.
$1 Million in lululemon Store Thefts Started in Colorado
Colorado police investigators said a series of organized retail thefts hitting lululemon stores across the country has led to the arrest of a husband and wife suspected of masterminding the cross-country retail thefts. The suspects are facing theft charges and are under investigation in at least four other states in connection with the lululemon crime wave. In an arrest affidavit from Westminster Police, a detective outlined how they allegedly cost lululemon $1 million in financial losses over just a few months.
Police Bust Multi-State Organized Retail Theft Ring
Three Florida men have been arrested in connection with a multi-state organized retail theft ring. The suspects are accused of stealing more than $1 million worth of eyewear from Sunglass Hut locations across multiple states. Said CID Detective Aaron Gonzalez, “This case highlights the importance of using modern technology like LPR cameras, along with support from our crime data analysts and other law enforcement agencies.”
Florida Crime Ring Causes $400K in Losses After Stealing from Ulta, Target, and TJ Maxx
Five people are accused of traveling across 25 counties, including Palm Beach, and causing $400,000 in losses after stealing from multiple retail stores including Ulta Beauty, Target, and a TJ Maxx. The suspects were allegedly involved in an organized retail theft ring and committing more than 200 thefts over a 15-month period. The five also allegedly stole from Burlington, Bealls, and Kohls.
Four Suspects Arrested in Polk County Racketeering Scheme
Four suspects are accused of scamming innocent victims, fraudulently buying discounted merchandise, and returning counterfeit merchandise at Target stores around the Tampa Bay area. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said the suspects bribed the two employees at Target with Apple watches and Starbucks drinks. The suspects were then shipping packages to locations in China. Investigators said the suspects tried to return counterfeit merchandise to Target stores across the Tampa Bay area. Target lost a total of more than $177,000 from this scheme. The investigation is still underway.
7 Charged for Organized Retail Theft at Monster Pawn Locations
Several people, including a Bloomington family, have been charged for allegedly running an organized retail crime enterprise through five central Illinois Monster Pawn locations. The family, along with Monster Pawn shop managers and employees, worked together to purchase new merchandise represented as being the proceeds of retail theft such as televisions, tools, and video game equipment, still in its original packaging. The family and their employees then allegedly sold those items online below market value.
Thieves Steal Gear from Berkeley North Face
Six or more people pulled up to the Berkeley North Face store in two cars and then ran out with $25,000 in stolen merchandise, according to preliminary reports. The drivers fled westbound toward the freeway and were able to get away, authorities said. Thieves have repeatedly hammered the Berkeley North Face Outlet, taking items valued at about an additional $46,000 from mid-November to mid-December.
Counterfeit Goods
Alleged Massive Counterfeit Goods Smuggling Ring Dismantled in Southern California
Prosecutors have announced charges against nine Southern California residents accused of conspiring to smuggle an estimated $200 million worth of counterfeit goods and other contraband from China into the US via the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach. The complex scheme involved logistics company executives, warehouse owners, and truck drivers, prosecutors said. During the investigation into this group, investigators seized more than $130 million in contraband, and the organization is believed to be responsible for smuggling at least $200 million worth of goods.
Officials Uncover $5 Million in Counterfeit Jewelry from China
US Customs and Border Protection officers based in Indianapolis recently stopped two shipments from China that reportedly contained more than $5.2 million in counterfeit jewelry. Officers seized two shipments containing 2,172 pieces of rings, brooches, bracelets, charms, necklaces, and earrings that reportedly had protected trademarks from luxury designers and were deemed to be counterfeit. The counterfeit products include merchandise identified with Tiffany and Company, Cartier, Van Cleef, Arpels, Chanel, and Juste Un logos.
Former Framingham State Officer Gets 60 Days in Prison
A former Framingham State University police officer who was convicted of trafficking counterfeit watches from China has been sentenced to 60 days in federal prison. According to court documents, the suspect conspired with others to sell counterfeit watches imported from China. He and his co-conspirators then advertised and sold the watches through various accounts on Facebook and Instagram. According to the US Attorney’s Office, the value of the counterfeit watches, if real, would have been more than $3 million.
Jason Kelce Memorabilia Scam Uncovered, 3 Charged for Selling $200K Worth of Fake Goods
Three individuals implicated in selling forged Jason Kelce-signed sports memorabilia valued at over $200K face dozens of felony charges. The suspects were charged with 60 felonies, including forgery, theft by deception, and dealing in the proceeds of unlawful practices, after attempting to pass over a thousand counterfeit sports memorabilia items purportedly autographed by Kelce as authentic goods. According to the district attorney’s office, the three suspects used the status as a Beckett Authentication Services employee to “verify” forged Kelce signatures.
For Those Interested in Learning More
January was a busy month for those involved in organized retail crime. For those interested in learning more, here are some of the additional incidents that took place. Click on the links to explore some of these events:
Nashville Woman Jailed on Warrants Charging Her with Chronic Stealing
A chronic and convicted Nashville thief who has been caught on video surveillance stealing from retail stores across the city is now sitting in jail on arrest warrants charging her with five counts of organized retail crime, nine counts of felony theft, and five counts of misdemeanor theft. The suspect is known to post stolen merchandise for sale on social media sites. Prior to her most recent arrest, the suspect had been charged with 58 offenses since 2016 involving $49,828 in stolen merchandise.
Woman Pleads Guilty to Counterfeit Coupon Scheme
A woman pleaded guilty to participating in an organized counterfeit coupon operation that stole nearly $27,000 in product discounts, according to prosecutors. The suspect and a second defendant stole products from numerous Stop & Shop stores by using fake coupons to reduce their cost to almost nothing. These items included beverages, laundry detergent, hygiene products, and dishwasher soap. Using fraudulent coupons, the pair was able to get the amount owed for the items down to $3.28.
Florida Woman Pooped on Family Dollar Floor as Accomplice Stole $500 Worth of Cleaning Products
A Florida couple is on the run following a shoplifting spree that involved a woman intentionally pooping on the floor of a Family Dollar while her accomplice fled the store with a shopping cart full of hundreds of dollars in cleaning products. Police said the accused shoplifters walked into the store and proceeded to stock their cart with nearly $500 worth of merchandise, including Gain, Tide, and Clorox products. The woman then distracted employees by pooping on the floor as her hooded conspirator calmly strolled past the cash registers with his overloaded cart.
CBP Officers Seize Counterfeit Tiffany & Co. Jewelry
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Champlain Port of Entry cargo facility seized multiple shipments of jewelry for trademark infringement. CBP officers inspected several separate shipments which contained various pieces of what appeared to be high-end jewelry. After a thorough examination of the merchandise, the jewelry was determined to be counterfeit Tiffany & Co. pieces. The items if genuine would have an estimated total Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price value of approximately $29,989.
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