10 Weirdly Specific Crime Waves from the Last Two Centuries

 


by Kieran Torbuck (rewritten)

Crime is rarely funny—but sometimes it becomes oddly specific in ways that feel almost unbelievable. Across history, certain unusual trends have triggered waves of copycat behavior, turning random quirks into full-blown criminal patterns. From stolen car emblems to fruit heists, here are ten of the strangest crime waves ever recorded.

10. Volkswagen Badge Theft

In the late 1980s, Volkswagen owners in the US and UK suddenly started noticing something strange: their car badges were disappearing. Up to 250 per day were being stolen during peak periods. The trend was nicknamed “Beastie’d” after Beastie Boys fans copied a band member who wore a VW logo necklace in a music video. Volkswagen eventually responded by giving away replacement badges for free in an effort to stop the craze.

9. Indecent Exposure at “Butt Hole Road”

A small English street gained unexpected international attention due to its unfortunate name. Visitors repeatedly came just to take inappropriate or disruptive selfies with the road sign, causing constant thefts and nuisance behavior. Locals became so frustrated that one family moved away. Eventually, the street was renamed to remove the problem entirely.

8. Rare Book Replacement Scheme

Between 2022 and 2023, thieves targeted rare libraries across Europe, stealing first-edition Russian literary works worth millions. Their method was unusually calculated: they would study the books in libraries, measure them precisely, and then return later with high-quality copies to swap for the originals.

7. Designer Dog Theft

In the 2010s, high-value dog breeds became targets for organized theft. Criminals stole pets to resell them or use them for breeding. In some cases, owners were even forced to pay ransoms. The problem became so widespread that even celebrity pets, such as those belonging to Lady Gaga, were stolen.

6. Nigerian Prince Email Scams

One of the most infamous internet fraud trends began in the late 1990s: the “Nigerian prince” email scam. Millions of messages promised large financial rewards in exchange for small upfront payments. Despite being widely mocked today, these scams once caused billions in global losses and still persist in more sophisticated forms.

5. “Happy Slapping”

In the mid-2000s, a disturbing trend emerged where individuals would randomly assault strangers and film it on early camera phones. These videos were often shared online for shock value or viral attention. The phenomenon sparked public outrage before eventually fading away.

4. Anti-Camera Vandalism Campaigns

In London, the rollout of Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) cameras led to organized vandalism. Hundreds of cameras were damaged or stolen by people opposed to the policy. Some groups even formed online communities encouraging resistance against the system.

3. Food Attacks on Famous Art

Climate activists in the 2020s began using high-profile artworks as protest targets. Soup, mashed potatoes, and other foods were thrown at protected paintings such as Van Gogh’s Sunflowers. While the artworks were not damaged due to protective glass, the incidents sparked legal consequences and global debate.

2. Tide Detergent Theft Wave

In parts of the United States during the 2010s, laundry detergent—especially Tide—became a surprising black-market commodity. Its high resale value made it attractive to thieves, who stole entire store shelves or carts of products to resell. At times, it was even referred to as “liquid gold” by police.

1. Avocado Black Market

In New Zealand, a sudden spike in avocado prices led to organized crop thefts. Criminals raided farms at night, stealing hundreds of avocados at a time to sell to restaurants and roadside vendors. Security measures increased as farmers tried to protect their produce from repeated raids.

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