10 : $75 million worth of Cooking Oil is stolen every year
It is estimated that $75 million worth of cooking oil is stolen every year. This is because of an upsurge in the demand for biofuel, as laws and regulations now favor an increase in the use of biofuel for consumption. The Virginia suspect made 25 cents per gallon of used cooking oil, which amounted to $300 to $400 per stealing trip.
9: One million Parking Cones are stolen every year
In the USA it is believed that a million traffic cones are stolen every year!
This is not just theft. In the UK it also contravenes Section 22A of the Road Traffic Act 1988. This makes it a criminal offence to interfere with traffic equipment including traffic cones.
For the clear reason that the cones are there for a purpose, and you could put someone in danger if you move or take them.
8: Approximately 600,000 Guns are stolen every year in America
Firearm trafficking poses a significant challenge in the United States, as these firearms often become tools of crime, exacerbating the nation’s pervasive issue of gun violence. The theft of privately owned firearms occurs at an alarming rate across the country. Estimates indicate that between 300,000 and 600,000 guns are pilfered annually, equivalent to at least one firearm being stolen every minute if we consider the higher end of the spectrum. With the expansion of firearm-carrying permissions in various states, the rise in potential gun carriers also attracts an increase in opportunistic thieves targeting these weapons.
7: 1 in 4 American adults were victims of identify theft in 2021
The prevalence of identity theft stems from the ongoing evolution of the Internet of Things. Back in the early 2000s, the majority of Americans were satisfied with using laptops and phones for internet browsing. However, today’s convenience-seeking trend has led to the use of devices like Amazon Echo to instantly access news headlines or get weather updates. This progress has significantly expanded the avenues for identity theft. The staggering number of identity theft victims in 2021 was a startling revelation—approximately one in four individuals fell victim to this crime, even encompassing instances of loan application fraud.
The year 2021 not only witnessed a high victim count but also saw a substantial increase in the average financial loss suffered by each victim—from $201 to $1,551. Resolving identity theft issues demanded a considerable investment of time, with victims spending an average of nine hours to restore their compromised identities. On the global stage, Americans found themselves at the forefront of identity theft concerns, experiencing this menace at double the global average rate.
A pivotal insight from the 2021 survey unveiling the extent of identity fraud in the United States was the revelation of inadequate security habits among the average Americans. Surprisingly, a significant portion of survey respondents admitted to lacking password-protected Wi-Fi at their homes, indicating a lack of awareness regarding cybersecurity practices.
6: 260 million packages are stolen from peoples porches annually
In the United States, your anticipation for the arrival of packages isn’t exclusive. Alongside your excitement, porch pirates also eagerly await the opportunity. These pirates are opportunistic thieves who target parcels left unattended on your doorstep. The staggering reality is that a whopping 260 million packages fell victim to porch piracy in a single year. The post-COVID-19 landscape witnessed a surge in online transactions, as both e-commerce companies and customers embraced the convenience of digital shopping, minimizing the need for in-person visits and potential exposure to pathogens. Regrettably, the rise in online shopping has provided porch pirates with more opportunities to strike. In 2022 alone, porch piracy surged by 25%, resulting in the pilfering of an astounding 260 million packages over the course of a single year.
5: Over 2 million Bikes were stolen in America in 2019
Bicycles, prized for their portability and lightweight nature, have inadvertently become prime targets for bike criminals. Exploiting the ease of their operation, these criminals often find it straightforward to dismantle bike locks without arousing suspicion, granting them ample opportunities to carry out their illicit activities. The prevalence of bike theft is startling, with North America recording the theft of two million bicycles in 2019. Remarkably, the Netherlands faced a staggering figure of 700,000 stolen bicycles over a span of two years.
The trend continued, with the United Kingdom experiencing its own share of bike theft woes. In the same year that North America marked the loss of two million bikes, the UK reported a substantial 125,136 instances of stolen bicycles. The numbers present a perplexing reality—North America averaged a bike theft every 30 seconds during that fateful year.
The following year saw the UK grappling with its own bike theft challenges. Between April and August, an estimated 215 bikes were stolen on a daily basis, underscoring the persistent and pervasive nature of this issue.
4: in 2011 & 2012, $18 million worth of Maple Syrup was stolen
Derived from the sap of maple trees, maple syrup boasts a name that belies its considerable value. A testament to this worth is the infamous Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist, an audacious operation spanning 2011 to 2012. During this time, a staggering 3,300 tons (equivalent to 3,000 metric tonnes) of maple syrup, valued at a remarkable $18 million, was pilfered from a storage facility nestled in Quebec, Canada.
This audacious heist unfolded within the confines of the storage facility, where unmarked white metal barrels held the precious syrup. Remarkably, these barrels were subject to only one annual inspection. The cunning thieves orchestrated their scheme using trucks to ferry the syrup-laden barrels to a remote sugar shack. There, they adroitly siphoned off the maple syrup, adeptly refilling the barrels with water before seamlessly returning them to the facility.
Notably, the storage facility fell under the purview of the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers, a governing body responsible for an astounding 77% of the global maple syrup supply. The heist serves as a vivid reminder that beneath the syrup’s delectable facade lies a lucrative industry vulnerable to audacious exploits.
3: 2 million dogs are stolen every year
Precious and sought-after dog breeds, including valuable puppies, can fall prey to unscrupulous dealers, illicit medical testing facilities, and unsuspecting individuals who may remain unaware of the dogs’ origins. The gravity of the situation is magnified when considering that certain dogs could find themselves embroiled in the grim world of illegal dog-fighting rings, forced to participate in brutal and inhumane contests.
Alarming statistics reveal that one-third of all dogs and cats in the United States vanish without a trace, leaving their owners distraught. Even more disheartening is the fact that over 80% of these missing pets are destined never to be reunited with their families, painting a somber picture of the challenges faced by pets and their owners alike.
2: Up to 25 million milk crates are stolen every year
Milk crates, those square or rectangular interlocking boxes designed for transporting milk and other goods from dairies to retail outlets, often find themselves at the center of an unlikely criminal activity: theft. These seemingly innocent crates frequently take up residence in basements, garages, and backyards, repurposed by people to organize their belongings. However, when these crates are pilfered for uses beyond their intended purpose, the ripple effects are felt elsewhere.
The ramifications extend to the cost of milk itself, as dairy farmers must replace the stolen crates to ensure their operations continue. Alarming figures paint a concerning picture—approximately 25 million milk crates are stolen each year, potentially translating into losses reaching a staggering $100 million. Although stores are meant to return these crates for reuse, this practice doesn’t occur as frequently as desired.
Investigations into milk crate theft reveal an intricate web of wrongdoing, often implicating unscrupulous plastic re-processors. These individuals grind the stolen milk crates into smaller chips, which are then peddled on the illicit market. This disturbing cycle highlights how an innocuous item like a milk crate can become entangled in a complex world of crime and financial consequences.
1: 75% of employees have stolen from their workplace
We’re all familiar with stories, whether from news or movies, portraying individuals embezzling substantial sums of money from their employers—a concept that’s relatively straightforward to grasp. However, what might prove more challenging to come to terms with is the unsettling fact that as many as 75% of employees have, at some point, engaged in theft within their workplace. This isn’t an invented statistic; it’s derived from a credible source—the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. In a revealing revelation, the Chamber uncovered that a significant portion of business failures, estimated at 30%, could be attributed to instances of employee fraud and misconduct.
In practical terms, this statistic implies that nearly three out of every ten businesses that fail do so due to the financial impact of employee theft, which severely undermines their stability. Beyond instances of pilfering and misappropriation of funds, employees have also been known to engage in smaller acts of theft. Surprisingly, a survey disclosed that one in ten employees confessed to pilfering toilet paper from their workplace on at least one occasion. Moreover, a remarkable 80% admitted to the seemingly trivial act of snatching pens from their workplace, revealing the nuanced extent of employee theft across different spectrums.
