Online auctions made up 78 per cent of Internet fraud complaints received by the American National Consumers' League in 2000. Each victim lost an average loss of $326.
The non-profit consumer body also released a report showing 41 per cent of online auction-buyers surveyed reported problems ranging from late delivery to damaged items or merchandise that never arrives.
Internet auction fraud is also on the US Federal Trade Commission's top 10 online scams list and makes up 42 per cent of all its Internet-related complaints.
An attorney with the FTC specialising in Internet auction fraud Ms Dolores Gardner said: "An overwhelming majority of the complaints is failure to deliver the goods after the buyer has sent the payment."
Reuters
