Flash mob shoplifting involves organized groups—typically teenagers—swarming a retail store to steal merchandise collectively.
According to the FBI’s analysis of 2020-2024 data, participants in these incidents stole more than $8 million worth of goods and caused over $51,000 in property damage. Clothing and furs were the most commonly targeted items.
Flash mob shoplifting is not a specific offense for law enforcement agencies to report in the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS); however, the versatility of the data collection can be used to compile data that characterize as a flash mob. For this report, the FBI analyzed shoplifting offenses reported at a location defined as a store, with six or more offenders, and no more than one business reported as a victim over the 5-year period of 2020 through 2024.
