Laundering Fraudulently Acquired Merchandise

• Reshipping of goods purchased through stolen credit cards is a new service marketed to cyber crooks.  It is an arrangement that allows European thieves to gain cash from cyber fraud committed against American and European businesses.  This involves re-shipping of goods that were purchased through stolen credit cards.

Description
Cyber crooks will rely on international re-shipping services to help move electronics and other goods that are bought with stolen credit cards, then shipped abroad, and then sold for cash. In this arrangement shipping costs are paid for with cybercrime-funded bank accounts, using seemingly legitimate companies in the United States.(1)

A breach at an online merchant will use the card number, expiration and card verification value (CVV), to purchase high-priced electronics at online stores that will ship to an address that is different from the billing address. The merchandise will be then shipped overseas, where electronics and other luxury items typically sell for a much higher price than in the United States.

The merchandise re-shipping relies on middlemen (“mules”) who get recruited to reship packages after responding to work-at-home job offers. The mules will send the packages containing electronics purchased with stolen credit and debit cards. Pre-addressed shipping labels will be used to make sure that goods are reshipped quickly and accurately. There are a number of firms advertising on the Web that also offer re-shipping services.

Executive Guidance
Re-shipping services that have not been certified for delivery of merchandise should not be used. Only approved re-shippers should be allowed. If merchandise is sent to unknown addresses, receipt of a bank confirmation that the shipment has been paid for should precede dispatch of any goods.

(1)http://krebsonsecurity.com/2014/08/white-label-money-laundering-services/