FBI States Online Auction Fraud Biggest Source of Complaints

dipfan writes "The FBI says internet auction fraud was the biggest source of complaints last year, according to the annual report by the Internet Fraud Complaint Centre. The Nigerian bank scam still remains popular, even after all these years. Quote: "During 2001, Internet auction fraud was by far the most reported offense, comprising 42.8% of referred complaints .... Non-deliverable merchandise and payment comprise 20.3% of complaints, and credit and debit card fraud make up 9.4% of complaints." The report is a 27 page PDF file while the Washington Post wrote up an article about it." Just ask CowboyNeal about some of his fun with dealing with dealers in Hong Kong.

Comments

On line auctions are a haven for criminals

[asmithmd1]

Those on line auctions are just an enticement for criminals, they should shut down quickly before another person is ripped off. I am going to call senator Hollins, he has shown himself to be savy in these areas and is a leader that is not afriad to take action

Re:On line auctions are a haven for criminals

[KilljoyAZ]

Get him to shut down IRC too, while you're at it. I read on CNN that hackers use it.

Dealers in Hong Kong??

[JZ_Tonka]

"Just ask CowboyNeal about some of his fun with dealing with dealers in Hong Kong. "

I really don't need to explain how shady that sounds, but one would think CowboyNeal would have learned, by now, that all those Chinese mail-order-bride scams were bound to catch up with him.

Re:In other news, some human beings suck.

[dillon_rinker]

Dealing with idiots is not worth the $$$.
Hundreds of thousands of retailers nationwide disagree with you.

Re:How can this be avoided?

[turg]

Merchandise that was ordered online but was never paid for or shipped accounted for 20 percent of complaints last year, the IFCC said.

Now if only we could just match up the people who don't pay with the people who don't ship, the problem would be solved