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Caught in the Web: Exploring Victim Experiences of Online Rental Scams Among University of Edinburgh Students
Fri, September 13, 2:00 to 3:15pm, Faculty of Law, University of Bucharest, Floor: Ground floor, Amphitheater 4 „Vintilă Dongoroz”Abstract
This presentation will discuss the problem of 'online rental scam victimisation' within the University of Edinburgh student community. We define this as the fraudulent extraction of funds from individuals navigating the online rental market. Despite being recognised as an 'emerging' type of fraud by the Sentencing Council for England and Wales as early as 2013, there remains a significant shortage of insight and research into this issue even a decade later. Within the specific geographical context of our study (Edinburgh, Scotland), there have been several reported instances of students falling victim to online rental scams. However, no prior research has systematically compiled these accounts or quantified the frequency of such victimisation, leaving the full extent of the issue largely unknown.
We will present our preliminary findings to comprehend how victims, including near-victims, respond to such victimisation. Specifically, we investigate their post-victimization actions, such as reporting to authorities or seeking support, and the practical and emotional consequences they endure. We have adopted a mixed methods approach, comprising an online questionnaire distributed among the University of Edinburgh student body and focus groups. These focus groups provide a platform for students who have experienced victimisation or have been targeted as potential victims of online rental scams to share their experiences.
Enhanced understanding of the scale and nature of online rental scams in Edinburgh could empower current and prospective students with knowledge on identifying early warning signs of such scams and equip them with strategies to safeguard themselves against falling victim better.