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.
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)RomaniaThe investigation is still pending - law enforcement searched premises and computers, intercepted phone conversations and questioned the suspects.
AngolaSaudi ArabiaSouth AfricaAustraliaBahamasBrazilColombiaCosta RicaEcuadorUnited Arab EmiratesJapanUnited States of AmericaChinaKazakhstanMalaysiaMexicoNew ZealandRussian FederationSingaporeVenezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)Trinidad and Tobago
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.