Media Advisory: HSI, ACAMS discuss organized retail crime
WASHINGTON – Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS) will host a media roundtable to discuss how organized theft groups steal and resell retail goods through online marketplaces and front companies and launder an estimated $69 billion in illicit profits through the U.S. financial system and trade-based money laundering schemes each year. During the event, HSI and ACAMS will provide media an advance copy of the joint report to guide law enforcement investigators and anti-financial crime professionals on ways to help combat organized retail crime.
The roundtable sessions will focus on current trends, recent investigations, impact of organized retail crime, preventive measures and how the public can assist law enforcement. Immediately following the event, media will have the opportunity to interview the panelists.
WHO:
Steve Francis, Executive Associate Director for HSI
Maria Michel-Manzo, Division Chief, HSI Financial and Fraud Division
Lauren Kohr, ACAMS Senior Director of Anti-Money Laundering in the Americas
Ben Dugan, President, Coalition of Law Enforcement and Retail
Thomas Welch, Unit Chief, HSI Financial Crimes Unit
WHAT: Media Roundtable
WHEN: Wednesday, June 1 from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. EST
WHERE: ICE Headquarters, Washington D.C.
RSVP: Interested media must RSVP to ICEMedia@ice.dhs.gov no later than 5 p.m. EST, Tuesday, May 31 to be credentialed. In-person seating will be limited due to COVID to help maintain physical distancing between participants.
Background Information:
• Recent NYC Case: Attorney General James and Mayor Adams Take Down Massive Retail Theft and Crime Operation
o Joint OAG and NYPD Investigation Charges 41 People for Stealing Millions of Dollars in Luxury and Drug Store Goods and Reselling them on eBay
• Organized retail crime, the large-scale theft of retail merchandise with the intent to resell the items for financial gain, which is becoming an increased threat to public safety and the economy, is a crime that impacts both public safety and the economy. HSI’s Financial Crimes Unit combats Organized Retail Crime and is focused on building partnerships with the retail industry and supporting investigations to stop transnational criminal organizations, targeting retail businesses and laundering their illicit profits.
|
