Over 100 arrested as US and Romanian police swoop on internet fraudsters

Police in the US and Romania have made more than 100 arrests aimed at stopping a criminal gang defrauding internet users through fake auctions.

The US Justice Department said that a combined operation was carried out with 117 searches in the US and Europe.

The criminal group is accused of holding fake auctions and channelling funds through money mules in the US and elsewhere.

"The internet fraud scheme has resulted in an estimated loss of more than $10m from victims, including those in the US," the Justice Department said in a statement. "The full loss amount and identification of additional victims is ongoing."

The gang posted adverts for high-ticket items like cars, motorcycles and boats on internet auction and sales sites.

Respondents were asked to wire the money via Western Union or MoneyGram International to escrow accounts, where it was forwarded on to Romania by money mules working on commission. No products were ever delivered.

The actual amount stolen may be double the US estimate, according to local media in Romania, as the gang has run a sophisticated operation since 2009.

The majority of those arrested in the US have been charged with wire fraud, money laundering and false identification. Some have already confessed.