Demand for and disposal of stolen goods in legitimate second-hand online markets: an explorative online survey. Issue 1 (2nd January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Quinn, Liam; Clare, Joseph; Lindley, Jade; Morgan, Frank
• Is Part Of: Global crime. Volume 24:Issue 1(2023)
• Page Start: 19
• Page End: 48
• Publication Date: 2023-01-02
• Subjects: Market reduction approach -- online markets -- property crime -- situational crime prevention -- stolen goods; Transnational crime -- Periodicals; Organized crime -- Periodicals; 364.106072
• DOI: 10.1080/17440572.2022.2142781
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-0572

Abstract

ABSTRACT: An exploratory survey of 1, 276 legitimate second-hand online market users from the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), and Australia was conducted to gauge the extent of stolen goods disposal in these markets; the willingness among users to receive suspected stolen goods; and the likely utility of hypothetical market reduction measures to disrupt disposal of stolen goods online. Chi-square analyses and binomial logistic regressions were conducted on responses to test whether perceptions and experiences of stolen goods disposal varied by demographic variables or browsing activity. Findings suggest that a high volume of stolen goods are perceived to be advertised in second-hand online markets; there is a willingness among a substantial minority of users to receive stolen goods online; and there is an appetite among the majority of users to disrupt the sale of stolen goods online. Theoretical and applied prevention and disruption implications of these findings are explored.