Online retail that originates in Clearnet and Darknet spaces has hit an all-time high with Mastercard estimating more than $48 billion in 2022 with the prediction to exceed $343 billion by 2027. While retail fraud may start in Clearnet and Darknet spaces, it often involves brick and mortar establishments being the victims of the fraud, shipping items directly, or having items picked up by customers that paid for them using fraudulent online means. This training will give SLTT criminal justice agents relevant knowledge and skills to investigate retail fraud that starts in Clearnet and Dark net spaces that effects establishments in their jurisdictions. Participants will leave the course with a greater understanding of how online retail fraud is committed, how these frauds target retail establishments of all sizes in their jurisdictions, and gain skills needed to investigate these crimes.

At the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the common trends and digital fraud schemes occurring and how it affects the retail industry and consumers.
• Describe how retail fraud takes place within Clearnet and Darknet spaces and who the perpetrators are.
• Identify the tools available and investigation methods for investigating these crimes.