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Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves

bbc.com

11–20 of 142 posts

Re: Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves

#11
post #8

Not a new idea: few years ago police here planted GPA trackers in packages to catch a thief repeatedly stealing from our subdivision package box. It turned out the packages ended up at the home of the newspaper delivery person.

Did he get the job, or was his GPA too low?

Re: Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves

#12
post #9
post #6

This is why every Christmas I order Explosive Dye Packs with motion sensitive trigger from Amazon :-) Actually, no I don't. I have considered some DIY solutions however, one being a 115 dB siren[1] and battery that goes off when it is taken. The intent being to draw attention to the people carrying the stolen package. [1] https://www.amazon.com/Alarm-Siren-115-dB-VDC/dp/B0002BG3SU

Sounds clever, but how can you distinguish between a package that's being moved by a thief and a package that's being moved by the delivery person?

I think the idea was the homeowner plants the package with the horn, not orders one.

Re: Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves

#14

My guess is most of these people are resorting to petty crime to feed a drug habit. Maybe amazon should put their tech and knowledge of supply chains to help bust large scale drug importers...

Amazon may be big, but the CIA knocks over entire countries. Seems like a good way to jeopardize their own military-industrial complex play, as well.

Re: Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves

#15
post #8

Not a new idea: few years ago police here planted GPA trackers in packages to catch a thief repeatedly stealing from our subdivision package box. It turned out the packages ended up at the home of the newspaper delivery person.

Did he get the job, or was his GPA too low?

this made me laugh way too hard

good one :) I mean tbh its not that great, anyone could see it, but still caused me to laugh so I say that's pretty good.

Re: Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves

#16

My guess is most of these people are resorting to petty crime to feed a drug habit. Maybe amazon should put their tech and knowledge of supply chains to help bust large scale drug importers...

Do you have any evidence to back this up, or are you just speculating?

Re: Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves

#17
post #12
post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sounds clever, but how can you distinguish between a package that's being moved by a thief and a package that's being moved by the delivery person?

I think the idea was the homeowner plants the package with the horn, not orders one.

Yeah I think that was the idea. Although..

If the package had a cell network connection it could check that its tracking number has been delivered, then "arm" itself.

Or, the package could be programmed to wait for the homeowner's WiFi SSID to appear, then wait for the accelerometer to settle when the package is put down.

Re: Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves

#19
post #4

I am curious though, do they notify the home owner the package is not theres. what if the home owner takes it in? Curious

Amazon and others now send you a picture of the package on your doorstep, so I guess they'd let you know?

I often wondered what's the point of that. I received the delivery email, I am still not at home, what would a picture do that the email doesn't?

Re: Amazon uses dummy parcels to catch thieves

#20

My guess is most of these people are resorting to petty crime to feed a drug habit. Maybe amazon should put their tech and knowledge of supply chains to help bust large scale drug importers...

It could also be spoiled teens raised by lousy parents.

/snark

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