Identity theft is just one of the many plagues facing our nation, and the world, today. Its proclivity has reached near epidemic proportions. Now the largest ID theft in history has been revealed and stopped.

A Queens-based identity theft ring described as the biggest in U.S. history - with ties as far away as Africa - has been busted.

The 111 indicted suspects ripped off more than $13 million and spent the loot on nationwide shopping sprees, five-star hotels and private jets.

These weren't hold-ups at gunpoint but the impact on victims was the same, they were robbed.

The suspects stole credit card account numbers and forged credit cards.

"Shoppers" were then given those cards and sent on shopping sprees in New York, Florida, Massachusetts and Los Angeles to buy high-end electronics, designer handbags and expensive jewelry.

Among the other crimes listed in the indictments are a $95,000 cargo theft from JFK Airport and a $850,000 theft of computer equipment from the Citicorp building in Long Island City.

Those goods were often later sold over the Internet.

The 16-month investigation, dubbed "Operation Swiper," began in October 2009.

Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said the cost of the theft is incalculable.

The really sad thing is that even after the culprits are caught and prosecuted, their victims are still faced with the difficult task of having to repair their credit ratings and financial reputations. In some cases, that process can take years.

Life would be so much easier if we treated everyone in the same manner we wish to be treated.