Ripped off by theft rings, stores fight back

ELLICOTT CITY, Md ELLICOTT CITY, Md. - With frosted, unmarked windows and no sign hanging from the storefront, Target's retail crime investigations center doesn't even look like it is being used.

But inside, analysts and investigators are poring over footage from surveillance cameras and inventory spreadsheets. They are searching for leads on theft rings that have replaced old-school shoplifters with sophisticated criminals.

It's a battle where major U.S. retailers are struggling to gain ground. While retailers spend $12 billion a year to battle organized retail crime, thieves pilfer $15 billion to $30 billion annually, a huge blow to businesses and, ultimately, their customers.

read the rest..

Remember, ebay makes more money than anyone off the sale of stolen goods. They also spend ridiculous amounts money lobbying against the efencing bills, and even hired a former head of that effort.

Smell corrupt? You betcha!

I mean, imagine... an outfit which lobbies AGAINST an organized crime bill is clearly in favor of organized crime, no?