Internet auction fraud was by far the most reported offense, comprising 62.7% of referred complaints. Non-delivered merchandise and/or payment accounted for 15.7% of complaints. Credit/debit card fraud made up 6.8% of complaints. Check fraud, investment fraud, computer fraud and confidence fraud round out the top seven categories of complaints referred to law enforcement during the year.

The auctions are often posted as if the seller is a United States citizen, then the subject advises the victim to send the money to a business partner, associate, sick relative, a family member, etc., usually in a European country. The money is usually transferred via MoneyGram or Western Union wire transfer. The Internet Crime Complaint Center has verified in order to receive funds via Western Union, the receiver must provide the complete information of the sender and the receiver's full name and address. The funds can be picked up anywhere in the world using this information. There is no need to provide the money transfer control number (MTCN) or the answer to any secret question, as many subjects have purported to the victims. Money sent via wire transfer leaves little recourse for the victim.

The most recent trend is a large increase in bank-to-bank wire transfers. Most significantly, these wire transfers go through large United States banks and are then routed to Bucharest, Romania or Riga, Latvia.

Similarly, the sellers also occasionally direct the victims to pay using phony escrow services. Sometimes actual escrow websites are compromised and other sites resembling them are created by the subjects. Once the funds are wire transferred to the escrow website, the seller discontinues contact

Below are a few actions that you should take to protect yourself from Internet auction fraud.

1. Avoid sellers who request payment by electronic transfer.
2. Never provide your Social Security Number or Drivers License Number.
3. Verify the delivery data and the sellers return policy.
4. Review the online feedback on a seller.
5. If the seller is a business, check with the respective registra of business in your country.
6. Prefer sellers who accept credit card payments. When you use a credit card to pay for a purchase, you can also request your credit card issuer to make a charge-back if the seller doesn't honour the sales.
7. Be cautious about buying from a seller in another country. If you buy from a seller in another country, understand the difference in laws governing auctions between that country and your country.