Silk Road forums

Discussion => Silk Road discussion => Topic started by: paratracker on October 19, 2011, 08:19 pm

Title: USPS Package Profiling
Post by: paratracker on October 19, 2011, 08:19 pm
This is an old article (Feb-Mar 1996), so might be old news to veteran Silk Road sellers, but it will certainly be useful for newbies.  It tells you how the US FBI and USPS profile packages and decide which ones should receive special attention, e.g. drug dogs, opening for inspection, successfully prosecuting the recipient, etc.  In case the link gets killed, the citing is: "Profiling postal packages" by Mark T. Langan, Gerald Vajgert.  Here's the link I found (multiple detailed pages):

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2194/is_n2-3_v65/ai_18447923/
Title: Re: USPS Package Profiling
Post by: btcfreedom on October 19, 2011, 08:38 pm
+1

good article. I don't think we have this type of worry six years later though -

When we rotate addresses as sellers, rotate drops as buyers, and use PGP.

Some of us go beyond PGP and get ultra secure which was not an option for us in the late 90's.

Today we have the power as the people.

Stay safe and smart is the continual message though, thanks for sharing this.
Title: Re: USPS Package Profiling
Post by: kipperdore on October 20, 2011, 02:25 am
suspicions of note:

Package Criteria

* Emits odors of marijuana or or a masking agent (e.g., coffee, perfume, fabric-softener sheets)

* Is heavily taped along seams

* Is poorly prepared for mailing

* Appears to have been re-used

* Has an uneven weight distribution

Label Criteria

* Is handwritten

* Contains misspelled names, streets, or cities

* Originates from a drug source State

* Has been sent from an individual to an individual

* Contains return address ZIP code that does not match accepting post office ZIP code

* Shows a fictitious return address

* Lists sender's and/or receiver's names of common type (e.g., John Smith) that are not connected to either address
Title: Re: USPS Package Profiling
Post by: buzzerbee on October 20, 2011, 03:51 pm
suspicions of note:

Package Criteria

* Emits odors of marijuana or or a masking agent (e.g., coffee, perfume, fabric-softener sheets)

* Is heavily taped along seams

* Is poorly prepared for mailing

* Appears to have been re-used

* Has an uneven weight distribution

Label Criteria

* Is handwritten

* Contains misspelled names, streets, or cities

* Originates from a drug source State

* Has been sent from an individual to an individual

* Contains return address ZIP code that does not match accepting post office ZIP code

* Shows a fictitious return address

* Lists sender's and/or receiver's names of common type (e.g., John Smith) that are not connected to either address

A few comments on these ancient to look out for things.  They seem pretty silly some of them.  As well, since this is from 1996, I imagine there are many other things they look out for now.


* Emits odors of marijuana or or a masking agent (e.g., coffee, perfume, fabric-softener sheets).   
                             Why mask when you can tripple vacuum seal :)

* Is heavily taped along seams
                             Yeah, don't put 15 layers of tape on the seams of your boxes.  On or two is enough anyways.

* Is poorly prepared for mailing
                              Don't prepare your package like an idiot and you will be ok.
 
* Appears to have been re-used
                              These are the days of recycling.  Sounds completely logical for an individual to ship in a used box.  Heck, ever bought something off eBay and got it in a brand new box?

* Has an uneven weight distribution
                              Like everyone makes sure their boxes have a completely even weight distribution for non illicit goods.  Envelopes
                              on the other hand typically will be pretty even as they are usually just paper so it would be important to even them out.

Label Criteria

* Is handwritten
                       So my aunt can't write out a label when she sends me my xmas present, she needs to type it out?                             

* Contains misspelled names, streets, or cities
                       So some people do not know how to spell.

* Originates from a drug source State
                        Yeah like people do not                         

* Has been sent from an individual to an individual
                       Normal individuals are not allowed to use the mail or something?

* Contains return address ZIP code that does not match accepting post office ZIP code
                        Ever heard of a business with satellite office?

* Shows a fictitious return address
                        So use a real return address of someone else.

* Lists sender's and/or receiver's names of common type (e.g., John Smith) that are not connected to either address
                        Dont be stupid and use names like John Smith and you should be ok. 


So after going over this all, the safest bet for anyone is to pack your items the way a real company would.  printing labels, using logos, using new packaging, balancing your packages, use real return addreses of people or organizations that you have nothing to do with.