Case Law Database

Cybercrime

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• Computer-related fraud/forgery

Computer-related acts for personal or financial gain

• Forgery

Participation in an organized criminal group

Fraudulent Ebay auctions in Romania

Fact Summary

An organized criminal group consisting of 36 individuals carried out online offences involving the creation of fake auctions on Ebay between 2006 and 2009.

The alleged offenders used stolen Ebay accounts to create auctions for items they did not posses. After the purchase of a bogus item, the purchaser would pay its price through Western Union or MoneyGram. The suspects withdrew the payments made by deceived customers in different countries, such as Hungary, Germany, Spain and the US. After withdrawing the illicit funds, the suspects transferred them to Romania by using Western Union or MoneyGram.

Commentary and Significant Features

This is a common cybercrime scheme in Romania. This case is of transnational nature as the victims were located in different countries.UNTOC once again proved to be an effective instrument insofar as it provides prosecutors and law enforcement with the necessary tools to counter transnational organized crime. In particular, swift international cooperation procedures are key for a succesful cybercrime investigation.

Author:
UNODC

Cross-Cutting Issues

Offending

Details

• involved an organized criminal group (Article 2(a) CTOC)
• occurred across one (or more) international borders (transnationally)

Involved Countries

Angola

South Africa

Saudi Arabia

Australia

Bahamas

Brazil

Colombia

Costa Rica

Ecuador

United Arab Emirates

China

Japan

Kazakhstan

Mexico

Malaysia

New Zealand

United States of America

Russian Federation

Singapore

Trinidad and Tobago

Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)

Romania

Investigation Procedure

Comments

The investigation is still pending - law enforcement searched premises and computers, intercepted phone conversations and questioned the suspects.

 

International Cooperation

Involved Countries

Angola

Saudi Arabia

South Africa

Australia

Bahamas

Brazil

Colombia

Costa Rica

Ecuador

United Arab Emirates

Japan

United States of America

China

Kazakhstan

Malaysia

Mexico

New Zealand

Russian Federation

Singapore

Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)

Trinidad and Tobago

Measures

• Mutual legal assistance
• International law enforcement cooperation (including INTERPOL)