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Internet Creating Organized Retail Criminals: NRF

The National Retail Federation told a congressional committee yesterday that online auction sites have gone beyond being a convenient new fencing option for professional shoplifters and have begun to lure amateurs into the growing world of organized retail crime.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation here told a congressional committee yesterday that online auction sites have gone beyond being a convenient new fencing option for professional shoplifters and have begun to lure amateurs into the growing world of organized retail crime. “The Internet seems to be contributing to the creation of a brand new type of retail thief — people who have never stolen before but are lured in by the convenience and anonymity of the Internet,” NRF Vice President for Loss Prevention Joseph LaRocca said. “The thefts then begin to spiral out of control, and before they know it they quit their jobs, are recruiting accomplices and are crossing state lines to steal — all so they can support and perpetuate their online selling habit.” He said online e-fencing has become thieves’ preferred method for disposing of stolen retail merchandise, because they can receive as much as 70 percent of an item’s retail value. LaRocca’s comments came in testimony before the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security, which is looking at three organized retail crime bills.

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