PS3 bandits busted for $19,000 in "diverted" UPS shipments

While the verdict might be out on an eventual sales winner between the three new-gen consoles, it's hard to argue with one stat: the PS3 is a shoo-in for the coveted "Console Launch Related Crime" award. The latest in crime spree exploits is a trio of UPS employees who were working the night shift around PS3 launch time, and managed to swap shipping labels on $19,000 worth of PS3s -- around 20 systems and 24 SIXAXIS controllers. These three grinches, 25-year-old Sean Weber, 37-year-old Norbert Joseph and 29-year-old Jasel Bolden, working from a New Orleans shipping center, forwarded the PS3s to their day job at Andrews Sport Company Inc., but couldn't escape the long arm of the law. Chalk one more up for justice. Oh, and by the way guys, if you get out of the clink before New Years, would you mind "diverting" a few PS3s our way? We accept Wiis too. You know, in the spirit of giving.

[Via Joystiq]

[Alex @ Dec 26th 2006 1:08AM]

God knows sony can never make as many ps3s as nintendo makes the wii, so they need every ps3 they can get.

[tekdroid @ Dec 26th 2006 1:16AM]

greed. that's all it is.

What amazes me most is these guys must've thought they'd never get busted.

[Jypson @ Dec 26th 2006 2:15AM]

An old friend from high school tried the same thing at UPS years ago when plasmas were the "in" thing. He got ratted out and had to pay for 12 plasma displays or go to jail. I dunno what happened to him, I guess he might be in jail.

[PEZ @ Dec 26th 2006 6:49AM]

I dont know, the last two sentences of this article were uneeded.

[demonsun @ Dec 26th 2006 8:00AM]

Wow, I can't believe how stupid these guys were. I work for ups as a transfer point (Where it Goes from the semis to the brown vans) and I would think that this is very hard to pull off, they'd have about a minute or so to figure out what the package was, and smear a new label on it. they got caught probably when the people who were supposed to recieve the PS3's started calling UPS, and ups started investigating, and lo and behold these guys who had access had several ups deliveries to the same place, with the shipments orginationg probably from some local location.

These dolts got caught because they forgot EVERYTHING in in hte computer.

[fd @ Dec 26th 2006 9:22AM]

Can't believe those last two lines either.
Engadget's style is novel (quite often a bit too novel imo) but that tops it.

[Tiger @ Dec 26th 2006 12:08PM]

This was a pretty STOOOOOPID (intentionally mispelled) stunt these guys tried. I mean, ANYONE can "track" their own purchases shipped online, (I buy Online all the time); so, I can only IMAGINE how well the UPS Company is.
-
And about the comment from Alex,... in MY opinion, this just shows how much MORE in DEMAND and VALUABLE Sony PS3s are compared to the so-called Wii units.
(I'm not Condoning this kind of behavior mind you... However,
You don't hear of people risking their freedom for a Nintendo product...Do ya?. (Don't Hate.)
-
'Nuff said.
Peace!

Tiger

[clicclic @ Dec 26th 2006 1:31PM]

The theft you don't hear about a lot more interesting.

[Vision77 @ Dec 26th 2006 8:02PM]

As an Part-Time supervisor who has worked at the UPS CACH facility for 8 years, I can honestly tell you we do not take theft lightly. CACH is an automated hub equipped with cameras (RECENTLY UPGRADED) that read smart labels and internally track packages. These strategically placed cameras read the labels and direct the packages through the automated system to the correct destination trailer to be loaded. If something happens with a package we check the internal tracking system to see where the package was last read by one of the label reading cameras and then investigate. The Sony smart labels look different from all other UPS smart labels. I supervise two areas which are responsible for making sure smaller packages(including a sizable amount of Sony drop-shipments)get processed. All packages have to be origin scanned. Scanning the packages link the packages to the people who scanned them and the trailers or package cars they are loaded in. These guys were attaching labels in the middle of the process. When the problem was reported, security probably checked the tracking system for suspicious activity and this would have been an easy pattern to see. So these guys were destined to fail from the get go. Security is very strict at the CACH facility. We have to go through security checks upon entering and exiting the facility.(Metal detectors/wands/bags x-rayed) There are also visible and hidden security cameras placed all over the property. I've even seen thieves set up with ink exploding dummy packages. Cash rewards are offered for turning in thieves.

Theft is a problem with every shipping company whether it be internally or someone stealing Christmas presents from someones porch This theft occurred before the packages reached the drivers. In most cases the drivers would have only been able to react after the theft. UPS has a no tolerance policy for theft whether you are a driver, supervisor, manager, CEO etc.

[KineticOnline @ Jan 4th 2007 8:46AM]

You guys drop things off at someones porch, without someone being there to recieve them? Sounds like a massive mistake for a company thats so "security conscious"

[NONE @ Dec 27th 2006 9:35AM]

Greed. Had they not been greedy, it may have worked. 99% of the people who steal from their workplace make the same mistake - they get greedy.

Everyone knows you shouldn't steal, but you *really* shouldn't repeatedly embezzle - you'll never get that crap off your record and every time you get caught stealing, it's another count against you. Sometimes places will allow you to keep stealing so when they finally press charges the thief is completely screwed.

[aide @ Dec 31st 2006 1:06PM]

do all ups vans have falmes on them?

[ciso @ Jan 2nd 2007 1:51PM]

Hey guys/gals....... is there a way to track down a stolen PS3 and Xbox 360? What if the thiefs register the PS3 online. Whould that help track them down?

[Alex @ Jan 6th 2007 6:19AM]

That happened many times to me. Unless the shipper requires signature release, UPS drivers just leave the package at the front porch if no one answers the door. Sometimes they just knock on the door really hard, drop the package and run away.