Black Market Billions Summary

“Black Market Billions”, by Pradhakar is a detailed book that takes readers into the realm of the billion-dollar business of stolen and counterfeit merchandise. Her extensive research illustrates how organized retail crime (ORC) succeeds in an economy filled with penny-pinching consumers that consistently decide to obtain cheaper ways of purchasing. A number of consumers look to purchase things such as luxury items and even over-the counter prescription drugs. Although these shopping decisions may seem minor, they essentially fuel organized retail crime rings full of shoplifters that ultimately sends millions of dollars to international terrorist. Many of these international terrorists are functioning successfully on American soil. Prabhakar’s …show more content…
Although the problem of retail theft is increasing, most loss prevention personnel are completely unaware of magnitude of the problem. As a result, loss prevention associates acknowledge the statement that their stores suffer significant losses to organized retail crime groups. In addition to increase theft, loss prevention associates believe there are other factors that directly assist organized retail crimes rings in being successful. For example, the inability to hire well-qualified employees is said to have a direct correlation with the success of retail shoplifters. This is because the employees are not properly trained on the basics to identify those that are looking to shoplift. Ultimately, this creates an inability to fight organized retail theft. However, Pradhakar believes that with simply a little determination and willingness to realize and accept the problem of organized retail crime, there is the possibility to turn this negative impact into a success …show more content…
These resources must be in addition to the resources already provided. After reading the text, I completely agree with Pradhakar’s work. This is ongoing problem the needs to be further addressed. The problem is large as of today. However, as she mentioned, if law enforcement officials and loss prevention associates do not work together, the problem will ultimately grow to a level of which may not be contained. As mentioned throughout the review, retail theft is an ongoing problem. With that in mind, it not only affects big business, it also fuels the very people set out to do harm to our nation. The organized retail crime operation must be disengaged and taken down. Otherwise, our nation will continue to face severe risks of terrorist attacks on our homeland. Lastly, the book is a good reference on important cases that have severely impacted the retail business world and how both loss prevention associates and law enforcement officials handled them. Prabhakar’s work gave me a better understanding of the problems affiliated with organized retail theft and its correlation to