Shooter Initially Targeted Family Dollar Store Until Security Showed Up
The Jacksonville Dollar General shooter was also Dollar Tree employee for 2 years

Man who killed 3 at Jacksonville Dollar General used to work at a dollar store
New details are emerging about the man who walked into a Dollar General store in Jacksonville, Fla., killing four people, including himself.

The gunman, Ryan Palmeter, was a former Dollar Tree employee. The day of the shooting, Palmeter had also stopped at a separate store, a Family Dollar store, prior to the shooting at the Dollar General, reports the Associated Press. No one was harmed at the Family Dollar store.

New details of the shooting surfaced during a press conference on April 28. Duvall County Sheriff T.K. Waters said the shooter, Palmeter, was employed by Dollar Tree from October 2021 to July 2022.

The gunman's first stop at the Family Dollar store had security footage showing him entering the store and leaving with a bag. A security guard then pulled into the parking lot and the shooter left before driving into a parking lot at the nearby Edward Waters University and putting on tactical gear.

Palmeter then drove to the Dollar General, where two civilians and one worker were all shot and killed. The shooter then took his own life. Two guns were used in the attack, and they were both legally registered.

Waters said the shooter originally targeted the Family Dollar location but grew impatient when the security guard showed up.

Authorities also believe the attack was racially motivated, reports the Associated Press. The store is in a predominantly Black neighborhood. All of the victims in the Dollar General shooting were also Black.

Authorities also said Palmeter texted his father before the shooting and asked him to break into his room and check his computer. That is when the father found a diary that indicated Palmeter's hatred of Black people, reports the AP. The diary also contained homicidal and suicidal threats. supermarketnews.com


Retailers Need Federal Policy Solutions to Fight ORC
NRF Blog: The rising toll of organized retail crime

As retailers spend billions to fight retail crime, policy solutions are desperately needed

By David Johnston - VP, Asset Protection & Retail Operations, NRF

The retail industry's top priority is the health and safety of all retail employees and our customers. Unfortunately, organized retail crime threatens the safety of both.

It isn't just simple shoplifting: Organized retail crime is the large-scale theft of retail merchandise with the intent to resell the items for financial gain. Criminal groups deploy large groups of people to steal from retailers. The gangs employ threats and acts of violence, sometimes including the use of weapons, to aid these thefts. The stolen products are then sold through different avenues (online, flea markets, etc.) and fund other illegal enterprises such as guns, drugs and human trafficking.

As the leading voice for the retail industry, NRF has long advocated for policy solutions to stifle the threat of retail crime in stores large and small across the country. The first legislative success came with passage of the INFORM Act, a measure that will make it harder to resell stolen products on online marketplaces.

The next step is the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act, now pending in the House and Senate, that will help put the ringleaders behind ORC gangs in jail. By creating an interagency Organized Retail Crime Center, this legislation would enable retailers nationwide to share data across federal, state and local agencies, and make it easier for law enforcement to investigate and prosecute these sophisticated crimes.

Even when nothing is stolen from a store, the threat of ORC has a cost. Retailers incur significant expenses in protecting their associates and stores. Collectively, retailers are spending billions of dollars, but the problem cannot be solved by an individual store fighting cases one-by-one at the local level.

Retailers know locked shelves and mid-aisle shuffles are inconvenient for customers; they also know anti-theft security measures can lead to lost sales. But when it comes to choosing between inconvenience and loss to theft, retailers will choose the one that protects employees and shoppers' safety.

Despite the overwhelming evidence that ORC is pervasive, some commentators in the media have questioned whether retail theft is truly a problem. There is no question that efforts to fight retail crime in our communities quickly become ensnared in complicated and emotional debates around criminal justice reform and complex socioeconomic factors, but the reality of ORC cannot be denied.

Turning stores into fortresses is not the answer, and many community leaders realize that doing nothing is not an option. That's why Congress must step up now and pass the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act. This carefully crafted legislation will help retailers and local communities by sharing information and resources nationally to bring the most brazen criminal gangs to justice. Join NRF's grassroots campaign to support passage of the CORCA bill now.  nrf.com


'Mayhem on Main Street': Retail Theft Epidemic Series
Small businesses helpless over spike in retail thefts, say they feel abandoned by lawmakers

In this series, Mayhem on Main Street, the Washington Examiner will investigate the causes behind the scourge of shoplifting, the role of the cartels, the cost to stores big and small, and the complicity of lax prosecutors. Part One will focus on the impact on mom and pop stores.

Across America, small mom-and-pop shops are being ruthlessly targeted by thieves, some from organized groups and others just out for themselves. As a result, small-business owners are either hiking up prices to offset the loss or, in a majority of cases, throwing in the towel.

In June, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced a spike in retail theft, citing a survey that showed 56% of small-business retailers reported they had been victims of shoplifting, 50% said the issue had gotten worse, and 46% said they had been "forced to increase their prices" because of shoplifting.

"If the government doesn't step in at some point and decide that they are actually going to hold some people accountable, then we live in a completely lawless society," one business owner said, adding that he isn't advocating for "locking people up for 20 years" but says there needs to be consequences. Smith "almost hired" three separate armed guards before ultimately deciding against it because of a "hands-off" policy in the Bay Area, which prohibits guards from being able to interact with or physically block someone from taking goods out of the store. Basically, they are only allowed to serve as a visual deterrent.

Some states are trying to level the playing field by passing laws that come down harder on shoplifters.

In 2023, six states - Oregon, Minnesota, New Mexico, Indiana, Alabama, and Virginia - passed laws that would increase the punishment for organized retail theft. In Virginia, for example, a new law that went into effect on July 1 makes it a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. New Mexico's law allows prosecutors to add up the cash value of stolen goods to determine the potential penalty a shoplifter could face, maxing out at nine years behind bars for stealing more than $20,000 worth of goods.

Koenigsberger believes that while lawmakers are finally coming around to target retail theft, they are doing so to protect large retailers, not small businesses like hers. washingtonexaminer.com

   Read Part 2 of the 'Mayhem on Main Street' series in tomorrow's Daily


Retail Workers Call for Better Workplace Safety & Training Amid Violence Surge
How Essential Workers Are Fighting For Safer Grocery Stores

Over the last few years, clerks and cashiers have had to deal with increasing incidents of crime and violence at work.

One recent study identified over 360 shootings in the last 3 years at Walmart stores, causing 112 deaths in under 3 years. Over 530 other shooting incidents killed 186 people in the country's 12 largest grocery chains. And in the post-pandemic era, the cost of living crisis, particularly housing and food inflation, has led to a new wave of theft, assault and mental health crises in grocery and drug stores. Clerks and cashiers are in harm's way on a daily basis.

Retail unions have been on the frontlines in stores and in the public sphere addressing these issues head on. Kathy Finn is President of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 770 in Southern California.

Errol Schweizer: How has working in a grocery store or drug store changed as the pandemic has subsided?

Kathy Finn: It's not so much as the pandemic subsided, but there's been a lot of a lot more conflict, a lot more violent incidents. There's also been a really big increase in shoplifting. So our members are facing almost daily incidents of violence.

ES: What role do grocery clerks, pharmacy clerks, or cashiers usually play in managing store safety? It seems like that's not their core job.

KF: They're definitely not trained. They don't get crisis de-escalation training. They don't get training in how to deal with shoplifters. What most of the companies have told people is, oh, just provide excellent customer service. If you suspect somebody of shoplifting, just go up to them and say, excuse me, how can I help you? And many times, you know, especially with shoplifters that are particularly brazen, they don't want anybody to come up to them and can resort to violence.

ES: What role is UFCW playing here?

KF: We feel very strongly that these companies need to do more to make their workplaces safe. There is not really a OSHA workplace violence standard set for retail establishments. And at this point, we think it's very important that there be legislation statewide that provides just the minimum of what you'd expect an employer to do, such as active shooter training, for members to get de-escalation training so that if they are coming into contact with these situations on a regular basis, they at least know what to do.  forbes.com


Retail Employees Face Violence From Criminals & Termination from Employers
Retail Theft Is On The Rise, But Employees Are The Ones Being Punished
"We have seen an increase in retail crime overall," says Chris Howes, President of the Colorado Retail Council. "We are approaching losses of $75 billion across the country in retail theft, and losses of $1billion a year in Colorado."

But these incidents aren't being carried out by teenagers stealing a pack of gum, but rather large groups of individuals that are part of a larger crime network. The Colorado Retail Council organization represents the largest chain retail companies such as Home Depot and Target. And a large part of the organization's job is to go after the hard-core thieves, not just shoplifters.

"The other troubling thing is the violence we see against employees, customers, and our team members at our retail stores," said Howes. He cites instances where thieves have used bear spray.

Due to the increase in violent thefts, Howes recognizes the changes that need to be made to safety measures for ­employees and customers. "We cannot expect the employees to use force against thieves," says Howes. So, to combat this, many larger retail stores bring in off-duty police offers to stand at the entrance or some sort of private security at the store.

In the past few months, there have been several local instances in the Denver metro area where employees were fired for confronting a thief. In July 2023, an Arapahoe County King Soopers employee, Santino Bur­rola, was fired for capturing three men on video stealing $500 worth of laundry detergent - a common crime that has caught the headlines of even New York Magazine back in 2013.

Combined with the downgrade of charges and the discouragement from employers to stop theft, it's starting to become clear why retail theft is on the rise. glendalecherrycreek.com


'Multiple Train Loads of Product Disappearing'
Ex-Walmart CEO warns stores must serve shoppers despite spike in theft as 'train loads of product' vanish from shelves

A former Walmart CEO has issued a warning to stores to keep serving customers even as theft drives products off shelves.

Former Walmart CEO Bill Simon spoke to CNBC about the rise of organized retail theft. Simon referenced the 3% shrink of inventory at Target. "That's like train loads - multiple train loads of product disappearing," he said. "It's hard to imagine that that is just poor management."

Simon believes there to be an increase in organized retail theft. "We've seen it, we've seen the pictures of it," he said. But he also said that it's on retailers to figure out how to deal with it. "It's not an excuse, it's just a fact," Simon said of the theft.

"They've got to figure out how to protect themselves and still find a way to service customers. "So it's an excuse but it's real."

Similarly, the CEO of Dick's Sporting Goods also blamed a rise in retail crime for the company's shrinking profits. the-sun.com


'It's Time to Rein in Rogue DAs'
Texas Passes Law to Remove Progressive Prosecutors Effective Sept. 1
Progressive prosecutors: It is now easier to remove district attorneys who refuse to pursue cases involving certain state laws. The new law is in part a response to various district attorneys across Texas saying they would not prosecute controversial offenses related to abortion, elections and gender-affirming care for minors.

A previous directive from Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot to not prosecute thefts under $750, for example, would not be allowed.

His policies drew pushback from 15 Dallas County police chiefs. Abbott called the policy "socialism." Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton sent a letter to Creuzot calling on him to uphold his oath of office and enforce the law. Creuzot ended the theft policy after he was re-elected in November.

"If rogue district attorneys will not uphold the law, what progress are we really making?" Phelan said. "It is time to rein them in."

The bill parallels similar efforts in Missouri, Florida, Indiana and Georgia. Republican-led legislatures in those states allege that progressive-leaning prosecutors are not being tough on crime and have refused to prosecute certain types of offenses.

Traditionally, district attorneys have enjoyed leeway to decide which cases they will prosecute. dallasnews.com


Kids Gone Wild in Boston
Boston's Top Cop on Teens Attacking Police: 'This Is Not Kid Behavior"
Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox asked parents to rein in their kids and the city's police union is pushing for more officers after crowds of unruly teens assaulted officers in separate incidents.

After swarms of teenagers wreaked havoc at the South Bay shopping center and in Downtown Crossing over the weekend, allegedly assaulting police officers and putting one in a chokehold, the city's top cop is calling on parents to rein in their kids ahead of the school year.

Eleven teenagers and two 12-year-olds were arrested following the mayhem on Sunday outside the AMC movie theaters in South Bay and Downtown Crossing. Moviegoers were randomly attacked, according to police.

"I'm going to make a plea to parents, particularly as we get ready to go back to school," Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox said during a press conference on Monday.

"If you can do your best before we go back to school here, making sure you know where your kids are, and more importantly, maybe have a talk with them about visiting some of these areas," he later added, saying this trend of young people being "very disruptive" is "disturbing."

Hundreds of kids were reportedly at the South Bay scene Sunday afternoon, where teens were fighting. As police officers tried to get the kids to leave, multiple teens assaulted cops. AMC South Bay Center and Target ended up closing for the evening amid the "complete chaos," police said.

Then later at night at the Downtown Crossing scene, a crowd of teens were again fighting and causing disturbances. One juvenile reportedly jumped on top of a car, and began to stomp on the vehicle's roof.

Then as officers tried to break up fights, teens began to assault officers. One cop was pushed to the ground, and was repeatedly punched and kicked by the group, police said. officer.com


What does Florida's red flag law say, and could it have thwarted the Jacksonville shooter?

UK: John Lewis boss Dame Sharon White calls for clampdown on shoplifting gangs with tougher legislation as retail thefts skyrocket

Using the Home Depot Recent Return Fraud Case to Reinforce Training - Requirements & Technology
Returns Without a Receipt: The Ticket to Loyalty or Fraud?
Returning without a receipt - at first thought, would you tie the ability to return an item to loyalty? These days, the answer is yes, as returns have evolved into a vital element of loyalty, as consumers often review return policies before even contemplating a purchase.

In an interview with PYMNTS, Loop Return's CEO Jonathan Poma delved into the status of product returns and explored the factors that retailers must take into account to recover their expenses.

"As long as you are delivering a high quality, seamless and easy experience in the returns process and you can save that customer relationship - that's critical," Poma said.

A lenient return policy can work wonders in building customer loyalty. When shoppers feel that a retailer trusts them enough to process returns without receipt requirements, they are more likely to return

But Can It Come at a Cost?

In recent weeks, it came to light that a Connecticut man had allegedly acquired close to $300,000 in fraudulent Home Depot credit by visiting stores across multiple states, procuring high-value doors, and subsequently returning them without providing a receipt, as outlined by federal prosecutors.

Home Depot upholds a policy that allows customers to return items without a receipt. The home improvement retailer has established measures aimed at preventing misuse, including the requirement of identification.

In this particular case, it seems that the accused initially used his own driver's license for one return and later used several forged licenses, as detailed in court documents.

Ted Decker, chair and CEO of Home Depot, has said that theft is a "big problem" for retail. "This isn't the random shoplifter anymore."

Retailers looking to employ a seamless returns process will need to strike a balance between customer convenience and fraud prevention. Implementing stricter return policies, requiring receipts or identification, and using advanced technology to track and verify returns are some ways to mitigate the risks associated with returns without receipts.

Additionally, investing in employee training to identify potential fraud and suspicious return patterns can aid in safeguarding the retailer's financial health and reputation. However, the ultimate measure of success lies in how effectively all these requirements can still provide a seamless and enjoyable experience for the customer. pymnts.com


COVID & Remote Work Killed The Small Store Urban Push Retailers Were Planning
In 2018 & 2019 Target, Walmart and others were talking about their Urban Push - Not anymore

How the 'urban doom loop' could pose the next economic threat
All across the country, downtowns, office spaces and shopping centers are at risk of becoming ground zero for a new economic hazard: the urban doom loop. The fear is that a commercial real estate apocalypse could spiral out and slow commerce, wrecking local tax revenue in the process. Ever since the pandemic drove a boom in remote work, hubs such as New York and San Francisco have drawn attention for their empty offices in previously bustling skyscrapers. But many economists are even more worried about midsize cities that have fewer ways to offset the blow when a major company slashes office space, the sale price of a building craters, or a downtown turns into a ghost town.

The worst-case scenario would go like this: With more people working from home, companies from Milwaukee to Memphis are rethinking their leases or pulling out of them altogether. That drives vacancy rates up and makes it harder for landlords to attract new tenants or sell buildings for a healthy price.

Shoppers and tourists would have fewer reasons to venture downtown to eat or shop, choking off spending and forcing layoffs at restaurants and retail stores.

Midsize cities "have a much bigger chasm to cross than what New York City has to go through. The situation is worse in those places with so little else in place." He added, "It is a train wreck in slow motion."

Economists caution that such a train wreck is not guaranteed, and the spiral has not kicked into gear anywhere yet. There are a few reasons: Many cities are still leaning on historic levels of state and local stimulus aid from the 2021 American Rescue Plan, and those funds may not run out for another year or two. A large share of the outstanding business and mortgage loans are also not due for a few more years. Plus, the economy continues to defy the odds, dampening concerns that widespread layoffs or drops in consumer spending could trigger this dangerous loop. washingtonpost.com


Retail RFID Expansion
Nordstrom to Ramp up RFID in Supply Chain Optimization Plans
Nordstrom announced plans to build on their supply chain optimization initiatives, including boosting radio-frequency identification (RFID) initiatives while continuing to enhance inventory productivity and returns processing.

The supply chain optimization focus ties into the company's three key priorities, including improved performance within Nordstrom Rack and increasing inventory productivity, which the company feels will improve profitability while positioning them better for the second half.

This emphasis on supply chain optimization has allowed the retailer to enhance the customer experience, including faster delivery at a lower cost, which was crucial during Nordstrom's yearly Anniversary sale.

The retailer plans to look for additional efficiencies in flow and improved productivity through inventory management initiatives. risnews.com


Hurricane Idalia Downgraded to Category 2
Idalia Makes Landfall in Florida as Category 3 Hurricane
Hurricane Idalia, which is pummeling Florida, has weakened from a Category 3 to a Category 2 following landfall Wednesday morning. Meteorologists are still warning of "catastrophic" storm surge along Florida's Big Bend coast.

Airlines have canceled at least 898 flights as Hurricane Idalia strikes Florida. Tampa, Atlanta, Jacksonville and Orlando are the airports seeing the biggest impacts.

Sustained winds from Hurricane Idalia are down to 105 mph as the storm's damaging winds spread from Florida into southern Georgia. More than 268,000 customers are without power in Florida as Hurricane Idalia hammers the state.

One death has been attributed to the hurricane in Pasco County, Florida, just north of Tampa. abcnews.go.com


Here's One for All the Travelers - Been there done this!
Just had to post this one

American Airlines slapped with $4.1 million fine for history of excessive tarmac delays
U.S. aviation regulators fined Fort Worth-based American Airlines $4.1 million for violating federal laws by leaving passengers on the tarmac too long, with most of the three-hour-plus delays happening at DFW International Airport. dallasnews.com


Schnucks Does More With Self-Checkouts

Target employees like the company's higher wages and benefits, but some say it's one of the most stressful retail jobs
 

Senior LP & AP Jobs Market

Sr Analyst, Asset Protection job posted for Gap Inc. in San Francisco, CA
As the Zone Analyst, you are a market expert with a deep understanding of the company and department-specific reporting. You leverage this expertise and reporting to identify trends and enable action on overall AP performance. Your analysis looks for every opportunity to grow profitability and mitigate loss. You work closely with the Sr. Mgr of AP Field Optimization & Capabilities, Zone Director, Centers of Excellence, and Field AP Teams to ensure the team delivers on the AP strategy, initiatives, and goals in support of efficient and effective operations. gapinc.com


Sr Corp Security Consultant, CS Ops Prototype & Implementation job posted for Target in Minneapolis, MN
A Sr Consultant on the Corporate Security Operations team is responsible for delivering solutions to enterprise partners across all our HQ locations throughout the world through collaboration, subject matter expertise, and efficiency. This role is responsible for coordinating resources to design, deploy, and maintain physical security systems that ensure for a resilient working environment. jobs.target.com
 

Ransomware Groups Adapting & Changing
How Ransomware Groups Respond to External Pressure

Yelisey Bohuslavskiy of Red Sense on Why Large Ransomware Groups Have Decentralized

Ransomware groups, like legitimate businesses, must adapt and change as they grow, in response to trends and external pressures - such as law enforcement actions. To survive, many large ransomware groups have adopted decentralized structures, said Yelisey Bohuslavskiy, chief research officer and partner with Red Sense.

The now-defunct Conti group's downfall was triggered by a single leader's controversial statement about supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This caused other leaders within the group to recognize the vulnerability of being dependent on centralized leadership and resources. As a result of "lessons learned," Bohuslavskiy said, the operation restructured as independent, decentralized units "to prevent having one person take down the whole operation."

In this video interview with Information Security Media Group at Black Hat USA 2023, Bohuslavskiy also discussed:

• Why adversaries are relying on customized malware;
• How compliance audits and cyber insurance requirements have shaped the ransomware landscape;
• How ransomware actors refine their targets by avoiding sectors unlikely to yield ransom payments.

Bohuslavskiy previously served as co-founder and head of research and development at threat intelligence firm Advanced Intelligence. He previously worked as a cyberthreat intelligence analyst at Flashpoint and due diligence researcher at Kroll. databreachtoday.com


Security Team Huddle
Using the Full NIST Cybersecurity Framework for the Win

Just as a professional football team needs coordination, strategy and adaptability to secure a win on the field, a well-rounded cybersecurity strategy must address specific challenges and threats.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) recent decision to include "govern" as a core function of its Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) is much-needed additional guidance for enterprises as they work to establish and maintain strong security postures.

The way in which these functions interconnect and work together is very similar to how a professional sports team performs - and overcomes challenges - together as a team on their field of play.

Identify: For security teams, the identify function involves understanding the organization's assets, risks and vulnerabilities. By distinguishing critical assets, potential threats and overall risk appetite, teams can create a foundation for effective security measures.

Protect: The more a team can protect their most important assets, the more likely they will be successful in reducing the attack surface and minimizing potential damages.

Detect: If a security team can detect a threat early, they can respond quickly and minimize the impact.

Respond: Having a well-defined incident response plan and corresponding procedures in place is key in this phase. Knowing how to contain and mitigate an incident and then effectively communicate with the stakeholders will help the organization return to normal operations more quickly.

Recover: The "recover" function for an organization involves minimizing downtime and restoring systems and operations quickly after a security incident while also making sure that the vulnerabilities that led to the incident are addressed.

Govern: For security teams, governance necessitates establishing policies and procedures to make sure that cybersecurity efforts align with business objectives. Governance is also key in helping to show proof that your infrastructure is adhering to your policy at any given point in time and on an ongoing basis. securityweek.com


National Privacy Law Needed to Protect from AI?
Want Protection From AI? The First Step Is a National Privacy Law | Opinion
Before we build the second and third story of this regulatory house, we need to lay a strong foundation and that must center around a national data privacy standard.

To understand this bedrock need, it's important to look at how artificial intelligence was developed. AI needs an immense quantity of data. The generative language tool ChatGPT was trained on 45 terabytes of data, or the equivalent of over 200 days' worth of HD video. That information may have included our posts on social media and online forums that have likely taught ChatGPT how we write and communicate with each other. That's because this data is largely unprotected and widely available to third-party companies willing to pay for it. AI developers do not need to disclose where they get their input data from because the U.S. has no national privacy law.

While data studies have existed for centuries and can have major benefits, they are often centered around consent to use that information. Medical studies often use patient health data and outcomes, but that information needs the approval of the study participants in most cases. That's because in the 1990s, Congress gave health information a basic level of protection, but that law only protects data shared between patients and their health care providers. The same is not true for other health platforms like fitness apps, or most other data we generate today, including our conversations online and geolocation information.

Currently, the companies that collect our data are in control of it. Google for years scanned Gmail inboxes to sell users targeted ads, before abandoning the practice. Zoom recently had to update its data collection policy after it was accused of using customers' audio and video to train its AI products. We've all downloaded an app on our phone and immediately accepted the terms and conditions window without actually reading it. Companies can and often do change the terms regarding how much of our information they collect and how they use it.

A national privacy standard would ensure a baseline set of protections, no matter where someone lives in the U.S. And it would restrict companies from storing and selling our personal data. newsweek.com
 
 
'World's Leading Ransomware-as-a-Service Operation'
Cybercriminals Harness Leaked LockBit Builder in Wave of New Attacks

Enterprising, or simply lazy, cybercriminals are using Lockbit v3 to cut corners on ransomware.

Threat actors are using and customizing leaked Lockbit code to carry out their own ransomware attacks.

Lockbit is arguably the world's leading ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) operation. Last June, it revealed its latest version 3 malware (also referred to as "Lockbit Black"), promising to "make ransomware great again." And it followed through - the latest iteration significantly upgraded on its already powerful predecessors, most notably with sophisticated anti-analysis protections. The third Lockbit has since been deployed in major campaigns, like the recent attack against the largest port in Japan.

Not all Lockbit attacks are carried out by Lockbit or its affiliates, however. After a developer leaked two versions of the builder code for Lockbit v3 last September, unaffiliated cybercriminals now appear to be adopting the cyber underground's premier malware-making tool for their own ends.

"It's very common for other hackers to take advantage of ransomware and other malware programs once the toolkit or source has leaked. Most hackers are lazy and they will take the quickest, shortest route to ill-gotten gains," said Roger Grimes, data-driven defense evangelist at KnowBe4, in a statement sent to Dark Reading. darkreading.com


One of Largest-Ever U.S.-Led Botnet Takedowns
Qakbot Malware Disrupted in International Cyber Takedown

Qakbot Malware Infected More Than 700,000 Victim Computers, Facilitated Ransomware Deployments, and Caused Hundreds of Millions of Dollars in Damage

On August 29, the FBI and the Justice Department announced a multinational operation to disrupt and dismantle the malware and botnet known as Qakbot.

The action, which took place in the U.S., France, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, Latvia, and the United Kingdom, represents one of the largest U.S.-led disruptions of a botnet infrastructure used by cybercriminals to commit ransomware, financial fraud, and other cyber-enabled criminal activity.

"The FBI neutralized this far-reaching criminal supply chain, cutting it off at the knees," said FBI Director Christopher Wray. "The victims ranged from financial institutions on the East Coast to a critical infrastructure government contractor in the Midwest to a medical device manufacturer on the West Coast."

The Qakbot malicious code is being deleted from victim computers, preventing it from doing any more harm. The Department also announced the seizure of more than $8.6 million in cryptocurrency in illicit profits.

The action represents the largest U.S.-led financial and technical disruption of a botnet infrastructure leveraged by cybercriminals to commit ransomware, financial fraud, and other cyber-enabled criminal activity.  fbi.gov justice.gov 


Cyber insurance providers increase scrutiny on enterprise risk, report finds

Smash-and-grab burglars steal over $500K worth of jewelry from Pasadena shop
A group of smash-and-grab burglars remain at large after ransacking a Pasadena store and escaping with over half a million dollars worth of jewelry on Tuesday. Pasadena police received calls of the break-in around 1:47 p.m. at the Jewels on Lake store on the 400 block of Lake Avenue. According to the shop's owner, Sam Babikian, three masked men wearing gloves entered the shop and pepper sprayed him during the destructive burglary. Images from the scene show shattered display cases throughout the shop as empty jewelry trays and holders lay scattered on the ground. Babikian recalls the burglars attacking him as he was opening the front door to escort a customer outside. "As soon as I opened the door, I got pepper sprayed right in my eye, my throat, my mouth, " he said. "I couldn't see anything. Then I could hear was smashing and grabbing." The thieves entered with hammers and began smashing and grabbing anything they could get their hands on. Within minutes, he estimated around $650,000-$750,000 worth of jewelry was lost during the break-in, although he has not yet taken full inventory to confirm that number.  ktla.com


Suspects Arrested After Smash-and-Grab Thefts at Jewelry Stores in Auburn Hills and Troy
On August 11, 2023, at 4:30 p.m., Officers from the Auburn Hills Police Department were dispatched to the MJ Diamonds store inside the Great Lakes Crossing Outlets at 4000 Baldwin Road for a 911 call reporting two males wearing surgical masks used hammers to smash jewelry displays, steal jewelry and pepper sprayed employees. After stealing the jewelry, they fled on foot toward the freeway. Upon arrival, Officers could not locate the suspects but began to investigate and aid the three employees who had been pepper sprayed.

Troy, MI - On August 24, 2023, at 5:42 p.m., members of the FBI Oakland County Gang and Violent Crime Task Force were conducting surveillance in the area of the Oakland Mall in an attempt to locate a vehicle associated with the robbery in Auburn Hills.

Surveillance observed three subjects, all wearing masks, entering Macy's at Oakland Mall. The vehicle they arrived in, a black Kia Soul, left the parking lot and entered onto I-75 North. The vehicle then turned on its hazard lights and parked on the shoulder, directly across the parking lot from the Macy's store entrance. The three subjects who entered Macy's proceeded directly to the jewelry counter, sprayed employees with pepper spray, and then used hammers to break display case glass. After stealing the jewelry, they exited the store, ran across the parking lot, and jumped the freeway fence into their awaiting vehicle parked on the shoulder.

Members of the FBI Oakland County Gang and Violent Task Force moved into position ahead of the attempted escape and, in conjunction with officers from the Troy Police Department, were able to stop the suspect vehicle and arrest all four subjects without further incident. The stolen jewelry was recovered along with cash and other evidence, connecting them with the previous robbery that occurred at Great Lakes Crossing Outlets.  oaklandcounty115.com


Pair stole over $25K in complex Stop & Shop coupon scheme, prosecutors say
The women bought about $26,547 in products like soap and laundry supplies in bulk and used "high quality, counterfeit coupons that contained barcodes and graphic designs that mirrored legitimate third-party coupons" to dramatically cut down the cost, prosecutors said in a news release. Two women have been charged with making high-quality fake coupons to steal more than $25,000 in products from Stop & Shop stores in Massachusetts and Rhode Island this year, prosecutors said Tuesday. Taunton residents Jacqueline White, 41, and Crystal Travis, 40, are both facing grand jury charges of larceny for the alleged scheme between March and June, according to the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office. White was also indicted on a charge of Organized Retail Theft.  nbcboston.com


Tulare County, CA: Man arrested for stealing nearly $10,000 worth of video games in Tulare County
A man is now behind bars following a string of thefts that happened throughout Tulare County. According to the Visalia Police Department, Michael Hackett, 32, was arrested after he was caught over the weekend at a Target in Tulare. Officers say Hackett is behind over 45 thefts that started back in February 2021. The Visalia Police Department says Hackett mostly stole video games and the cost of inventory lost was over $9,500. He's also, police say, responsible for several thefts that happened at Lowe's in Visalia.  kmph.com


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