From: Crime script analysis of the illegal sales of spiny-tailed lizards on YouTube
Stage | Steps and options | Spatial | Temporal | People/Actors |
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Preparation | Online transaction preparation: • Set up communications accounts (cellphone, WhatsApp) • Set up payment accounts: uses Moneygram, Western Union, and bank transfers; not all channels describe payment systems • Set up shipping accounts uses DHL for international shipping and Tranzum Courrier Service (TCS) in Pakistan; not all channels describe shipping methods • Acquire shipping materials (foam, envelopes) Retail transaction preparation: • Establish retail store that allows walk-in customers to purchase sanda oil (buy or rent store space, set up displays, operate store during business hours) Advertisement preparation: • Create YouTube Channel with potential linked social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) • Acquire device with video filming capability (likely cellphone) • Plan what to film in video and how to film it (for example, demonstration of oil production to show oil is 100% pure sanda, or display of live sandas and discussion of sanda oil health benefits, or demonstration of sanda trapping, etc.) • Original Sanda Oil includes screenshots of DHL shipping info and texts with customers • Be mindful of YouTube policies that prohibit cutting live animals in videos • Blur images of bloody lizards • Live lizards cut open in videos • Plan for what will be said during video: sales pitches, anecdotal information, reminders to subscribe to the channel and share the video, how to contact sellers, how to make a purchase, delivery information • Assemble supplies needed for lizard oil production or other demonstration that will be filmed for video • Find suitable location for filming • Find someone to film the video • Film video • Edit video into advertisement; regularly display contact info and logos in bold letters and colors | Transaction and some steps of advertisement preparation: Location with reliable internet access Advertisement filming: • Outdoor location, possibly near home or business • Poaching videos filmed outdoors in lizard habitat; other demonstration videos filmed indoors • Most videos filmed indoors in retail store; small number filmed outdoors showing oil production • All channels’ videos presumably filmed in Pakistan | Time of day: Daylight for making of outdoor advertisement videos; Indoor videos could be any time of day Time of year: Video production may correspond with seasonal lizard poaching | • One male individual demonstrates sanda's qualities and lizard oil production throughout advertisements, narrates video, and offers to be contacted regarding sales; face is seen • One male individual films the video; another male (possibly videographer) holds up bottles of oil to the camera; unknown if these individuals and/or others set up the accounts for transactions or participated in other preparation steps • One male individual narrates and appears in videos showing lizard poaching and oil production; second unknown individual likely films video • One male individual narrates and appears in videos discussing sandas, other animals and oil production. At least one other individual is visible assisting with taking videos and other tasks |
Pre-activity | • Post advertisement to YouTube channel • Respond to questions in YouTube comments | Location with reliable internet access; all videos presumably posted from Pakistan | Anytime of day or night with internet access | Video narration suggests the individuals appearing in the videos also participate in the posting process; unknown how many others also are involved |
Activity | • Engage in sales process via cellphone and WhatsApp (take orders, explain payment options, get shipping info, etc.) • Engage in sales process with walk-in customers at retail store • Take payment in advance for international online oil orders via Moneygram, Western Union and bank transfers, • Accept cash-on-delivery orders in Pakistan • Keep anonymity of customers | • Location with reliable internet access • Retail shop is selling various animal products • Shop is located in front of Sharda Station in Lahore, Pakistan | Anytime of day or night with internet access | Video narration suggests the individuals appearing in the videos also participate in the sales process; unknown how many others also are involved |
Post-Activity | • Package bottles in bubble wrap, cello tape, waterproof bag used for international shipping • Normal single bag used for shipping in Pakistan • Ship orders via DHL (international) and Tranzum Courrier Service (TCS) (within Pakistan) (cash on delivery) • Supply documents for delivery abroad • Customers leave reviews in YouTube comments or via text to sellers • Sellers respond to customer reviews • Not all channels describe post-sale activities | • Near shipping location for DHL and TCS services • Video and comments discuss shipping internationally to: USA, Canada, UK, Germany, Netherlands, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Nepal, UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bangladesh, India (Mumbai, Amritsar, Punjab, Jammu Kashmir, Haryana, Patiala, and other locations) • Shipping within Pakistan (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and other locations) • No shipping to Israel | Times when DHL and TCS services are available to make outgoing shipments | Video narration suggests the male individual appearing in the videos participates in the shipping process; unknown how many others also are involved |