This book investigates the rationales, risks, and social dynamics of individuals who target drug dealers for robbery. Bruce A. Jacobs, a professor of criminology, utilizes extensive qualitative research and field interviews with active offenders to construct a framework for understanding 'rip-offs' as a form of extra-legal justice and economic survival. The text examines how these perpetrators navigate the dangerous, unregulated markets of the illicit drug trade while managing the threat of retaliation.

Experts in the field of criminology frequently cite this work for its rare, direct access to a population that is notoriously difficult to study. Scholars note that the prose is accessible yet rigorous, making it a foundational text for understanding the mechanics of street-level criminal violence.