RLP NEWS
CHICAGO – Two women from Milwaukee are facing multiple felony charges after allegedly stealing thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise from various retail stores across the Chicago area.
Ashley Williams, 28, and Schantasia Abernathy, 29, were arrested in connection with a multi-county theft operation that targeted Ulta Beauty and Victoria’s Secret stores in Cook, DuPage, Kane, and Will counties. According to the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, the women allegedly stole high-value items, including perfume and clothing, which Williams resold through her Instagram account.
Williams has been charged with several felonies, including organized retail crime, financial crimes, retail theft, and burglary. Abernathy, who has pleaded not guilty, is facing charges of financial crimes, retail theft, and burglary as well.
“Organized retail crime increases prices on goods for shoppers and fuels other types of criminal activity,” said Attorney General Kwame Raoul, highlighting the broader impact of such crimes on communities.
The investigation was aided by the Geneva Police Department, and both women are scheduled to appear in court on October 18.
Criminals are increasingly turning to platforms like Instagram to sell stolen goods, taking advantage of the social media site’s large user base and informal marketplace to disguise their illicit activities. Organized retail crime groups, in particular, use Instagram to offload stolen merchandise such as designer clothes, cosmetics, electronics, and luxury goods.
Here’s how the process typically works:
1. Setting Up Anonymous Accounts
Criminals often create multiple Instagram accounts using fake names or aliases, making it difficult for authorities to trace their real identities. They use vague or private profiles to avoid drawing attention to their activities. To maintain anonymity, they may use disposable email addresses and burner phones for communication.
2. Advertising Stolen Merchandise
Once the stolen goods are in hand, sellers post photos of the merchandise, presenting it as if it were legally sourced. Items like high-end clothing, accessories, beauty products, and electronics are particularly popular because they are in high demand and can be sold for quick cash. Prices are often significantly lower than retail value, which attracts buyers looking for bargains.
3. Using Hashtags and Direct Messages
To attract potential buyers without raising red flags, criminals use popular and generic hashtags like #forsale, #cheapdeals, or #limitedstock. However, they avoid using keywords that could signal illegal activity. Interested buyers typically reach out through Instagram’s direct messaging feature, where the seller negotiates prices and arranges transactions.
4. Payment Methods
Transactions often occur through peer-to-peer payment apps like PayPal, Cash App, or Venmo, where payments are difficult to trace back to illegal activity. Sometimes sellers request payments in cryptocurrency to add another layer of anonymity. Cash payments may also be accepted if the sale is local.
5. Shipping and Pick-Up
For non-local buyers, the stolen goods are shipped via standard postal services or private couriers, often using fake return addresses to avoid detection. In some cases, goods are delivered in person if the seller and buyer are in the same area. Meeting in public spaces or at events provides another layer of cover.
6. Private or Invite-Only Accounts
To further protect themselves, some criminals make their Instagram accounts private or invite-only. Potential buyers must request access to view the listings, creating a controlled environment that keeps out unwanted attention from law enforcement or suspicious users. This adds an extra layer of security and exclusivity for the criminal networks involved.
7. Avoiding Detection
Criminals regularly switch accounts, deactivate and reactivate profiles, or use multiple accounts to prevent any one page from gaining too much attention. When one account is flagged or suspended, they can easily move to another. This makes it difficult for authorities to track the entire operation, allowing the theft rings to operate for extended periods before being caught.
Instagram’s informal marketplace and global reach make it an attractive platform for selling stolen goods. However, this growing trend poses challenges for law enforcement agencies, who are working to track and dismantle these illegal operations while also encouraging social media platforms to monitor and report suspicious activity.