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David Maimon, Professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology, Georgia State University

What are 'mule addresses'? Criminologists explain how vacant properties serve as depots for illegal online purchases

Nobody's home, just as the sender intended. AndreyPopov/ iStock via Getty Images Plus

Online shopping isn’t just a convenient way to buy batteries, diapers, computers and other stuff without going to a brick-and-mortar store.

Many Americans also use the internet to quietly acquire illegal, fake and stolen items. Guns, prescription drugs no doctor has ordered and checks are on this long list, as well as cloned credit cards, counterfeit passports and phony driver’s licenses.

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