A partnership between Homeland Security Investigations and the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists resulted in a report designed to help battle retail crime.
According to a news release from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, retail thefts and efforts to sell merchandise for a profit is a growing problem and threatens the public and the economy. Steve Francis, HSI acting executive director, noted curbing the threat is key to the safety of store employees, consumers and communities nationwide.
“Organized retail crime is leading to more brazen, more violent attacks in retail stores throughout the country, and many of the criminal rings orchestrating these thefts are also involved in other serious criminal activity,” he said in the release. “Tackling this growing threat is important to the safety of store employees, customers and communities across the country.”
The ICE news release noted HSI and ACAMS completed a report that offers a guideline for investigators to target thieves by detailing how these groups steal and sell goods online. The report, according to the news release, is titled Detecting and Reporting the Illicit Financial Flows Tied to Organized Theft Groups and Organized Retail Crime.
“Large-scale retail theft and the money laundering that enables it are exactly the sort of illicit activities that law enforcement, financial institutions and other stakeholders can more effectively fight together through public-private partnerships,” ACAMS CEO Scott Liles said according to the release. “This guide is not just a roadmap for criminal investigators and AFC professionals seeking to better fight organized retail crime – it is also a rallying call for greater collaboration on dismantling these dangerous criminal syndicates.”
According to the release, Liles noted the guide can serve as a roadmap for authorities and anti-financial crime investigators and can help thwart the organized criminal organizations.
