Demand for and disposal of stolen goods in legitimate second-hand online markets: an explorative online survey

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.