Legal Definitions - fence

In legal terms, a fence refers to an individual or an establishment that knowingly receives stolen goods from thieves and then resells them, often to unsuspecting buyers, for profit. The term can apply both to the person who carries out these transactions and to the location or operation where such illicit business is conducted.

Here are some examples illustrating the concept of a fence:

• Example 1 (Individual as a Fence): A man named Victor operates a small, cluttered electronics repair shop. While he performs legitimate repairs, Victor also has a clandestine network of shoplifters who regularly bring him brand-new, high-value items like gaming consoles and laptops. Victor pays the thieves a fraction of the retail price, then wipes the devices, sometimes changes their casings, and resells them through online classifieds or to other small businesses, making a substantial profit. Victor is acting as a fence because he knowingly acquires stolen merchandise and facilitates its resale.

• Example 2 (Establishment as a Fence): A seemingly legitimate discount warehouse, "Bargain Bin Buys," advertises incredible deals on designer clothing and accessories. However, the owner has a secret arrangement with an organized retail theft ring that regularly supplies the warehouse with truckloads of stolen merchandise. The warehouse then serves as the primary distribution point, selling these items to the public at prices just low enough to attract customers but high enough to ensure a significant profit for the owner. In this case, "Bargain Bin Buys" functions as a fence because it is the establishment through which stolen goods are received and then resold.

• Example 3 (Online Operation as a Fence): A sophisticated online seller, operating under various pseudonyms on different e-commerce platforms, specializes in rare collectibles and vintage items. This seller frequently purchases items from individuals known to be involved in home burglaries, particularly those targeting antique shops or private collections. The seller then uses their online presence to quickly offload these unique stolen goods to a global market, making it difficult for law enforcement to trace the items back to their original owners. This online operation, and the individual behind it, constitutes a fence because it systematically receives and resells stolen property for financial gain.