The impact of the online marketplace on fraud: Evidence from Craigslist from its early adoption in 1995 to its wider expansion in 2006

Authors

  • Efthymia Antonoudi University of Georgia
  • Martin Seay Kansas State University
  • HanNa Lim California State University at Fullerton
  • Elizabeth Kiss Kansas State University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61190/fsr.v33i4.4114

Keywords:

Craigslist Adoption, online marketplace, fraud arrests

Abstract

This research addresses the influence of Craigslist’s adoption and presence on fraud arrests within metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs). Utilizing the consumer vulnerability framework (Hill & Sharma, 2020), the study used diverse data sources, including Craigslist entry data, the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) dataset, and the US Census Bureau Current Population Survey (CPS) data from 1995-2006. Employing differences-in-differences (DID) models, this study's primary findings indicate a reduction in fraud arrests, ranging from 11% to 23% following the introduction of Craigslist. While these results might appear counterintuitive, our findings suggest that online marketplace design and enforcement capacity may jointly influence fraud patterns.

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Published

2025-12-15

How to Cite

Antonoudi, E., Seay, M., Lim, H., & Kiss, E. (2025). The impact of the online marketplace on fraud: Evidence from Craigslist from its early adoption in 1995 to its wider expansion in 2006. Financial Services Review, 33(4), 121–133. https://doi.org/10.61190/fsr.v33i4.4114

Issue

Vol. 33 No. 4 (2025): Financial Services Review

Section

New Original Submission

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Efthymia Antonoudi, Martin Seay, HanNa Lim, Elizabeth Kiss

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