Internet Scams From the comfort of their own home, Internet users truly have the world at their fingertips. They have access to a global market via the Internet. Cyberspace offers unlimited options for quickly and easily shopping, finding investment opportunities, communicating and much more. Unfortunately, in today's world, scammers also find the Internet a quick and easy way to deceive and rob unsuspecting Internet users with false advertisements and false promises. Fraudsters target those who cannot determine the validity of online offers and sales. According to the National Fraud Information Center (NFC), there were 36,802 complaints of Internet fraud in 2002, and this number increased to 37,183 in 2003 (Internet scams). This growing problem affects internet users around the world, who can lose hundreds of dollars to these cunning and ruthless scammers. According to the NFC, undelivered or misrepresented goods or services from auction sites accounted for 89% of fraud complaints in 2003 (Internet scams). In his article "Sleaze Bay," David Freedman explains why auction sites are so attractive to scammers: "As with much of the web, the features that make auction sites so attractive – anonymity, speed, low overhead, access to millions of people » diversity of people, lack of outside regulation, ability to interact remotely – are precisely these same characteristics that make scams so easy » (1 ). According to Freedman, sites such as E-bay can be subject to fraudulent bidding; a practice contrary to E-bay rules which is often illegal. Underground auctions involve a seller, their friends, family, or other sellers bidding to entice other bidders to join in and increase their profits. This is based on the idea that "...bi...... middle of paper ......against Internet fraud.Works CitedFleitas, Amy. Internet spam generates scams. Bankrate, Inc. 22, April 2004 http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/advice/20021025b.asp Freedman, David. “Sleaze Bay. » Forbes. (2000): 5 p. April 22, 2004 http://www.forbes.com/asap/2000/1127/134.htmlFTC names its dirty dozen. Federal Trade Commission. April 22, 2004 http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/doznalrt.htmHendersen, Les. Pyramid schemes. April 22, 2004 http://www.crimes-of-persuasion.com/Crimes/Delivered/pyramids.htmInternet scams. National Fraud Information Center. April 22, 2004 http://www.fraud.org/2003internetscams.pdfLanford, Jim and Audri. Anti-scams on the Internet. April 22, 2004 http://www.scambusters.org/index.htmlOnline shopping. Fair Trade Office. April 22, 2004 http://www.oft.gov.uk/Consumer/Your+Rights+When+Shopping+From+Home/Online+shopping.htm