MORE than 20 online auction fraudsters have been caught by Queensland police, including one man who sold non-existent holidays to about 3000 victims.
Police Minister Judy Spence revealed a joint operation between Queensland police and auction site eBay unearthed 23 Queensland-based "recidivist offenders", accused of repeatedly failing to deliver advertised auction items to buyers.
Some have been arrested, with one Queensland man charged with 48 offences and another with 33 offences.
Under the initiative aimed at improving the investigation of online fraud, Queensland police - with the help of eBay - last year launched a central website for complaints relating to fraud at online auction sites.
The website enabled police to resolve minor disputes quickly and more easily target repeat offenders."
In the past if a consumer had a complaint when an item they purchased on a site like eBay didn't arrive, or was not what was listed, they often made their complaint straight to their local police," Ms Spence told State Parliament.
"In many cases, police found that if the consumer had contacted their online auction site or the seller directly instead, their complaint could easily have been handled without police involvement.
"While in the past there was no simple process for police to link complaints and offences across jurisdictions, our officers are now able to quickly identify the recidivist offenders who are taking advantage of multiple buyers.
"Since the system went live in May last year, 416 matters have been reported on the site and investigated.
While most related to Queensland-based offenders, a Victorian man is also under investigation after he allegedly conned more than 3000 victims into purchasing non-existent holidays.Ms Spence said it was estimated the website had saved police from spending 30,000 hours filling out reports.
Rosemary Odgers
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