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Fraudulent Returns
A suspected syndicate of highly-trained individuals appear to be targeting a retail chain in Fortitude Valley performing fraudulent returns on online purchases. The individuals are shoplifting products, generating fake online invoices and then return the stolen items for a refund in-store.
The individuals are highly organised, well-dressed and composed when interacting with staff. The individuals are aware of their rights as consumers and the conditions of refund entitlements under the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC).
Other stores within the retail chain have reported the same modus operandi occurring across Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns and Perth. Some appear to be travelling across Australia with CCTV catching one individual receiving a refund in Melbourne and again in Cairns a few days later.
Recently, one male was caught attempting to return stolen goods in Fortitude Valley. On his person, staff discovered a number of large shopping bags filled with items from surrounding stores. As retailers cannot lawfully detain individuals suspected of shoplifting without making a citizen's arrest and most stores have a non-pursuit policy in the interest of staff safety, the man was able to exit the store with the stolen goods.
Fraudulent Price Matching
A female reportedly presented a digitally-altered screenshot of the retailer's website with unrealistically cheap prices and requested a price match in-store. The request was denied and the individual informed the staff member she would be making a report to the ACCC and completing a formal complaint to head office regarding their actions. The head office has not received a report as of yet.
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