Connor sells a baseball on eBay that he claims is signed by Babe Ruth. In fact, Connor has forged the signature on the baseball. Connor is guilty of
a. embezzlement.
b. mail fraud.
c. identity theft.
d. internet fraud.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: d. internet fraud.
Explanation:
Connor is guilty of internet fraud because he used the internet—in this case, eBay, an online auction platform—to commit a fraudulent act. Internet fraud involves the use of online services or software with internet access to defraud victims or misrepresent information for personal gain. Here, Connor listed a fake item with a forged signature to deceive a buyer into purchasing it, thereby gaining money under false pretenses.
Let’s break this down:
- Fraud is the intentional deception made for personal gain or to damage another individual.
- When this deception is carried out using the internet, it becomes internet fraud.
- Connor’s act included misrepresenting a product online, which is the core of internet fraud. He claimed that the baseball was signed by Babe Ruth, a legendary figure in American baseball, when it was not. He forged the signature to increase the baseball’s perceived value and then sold it using an online platform.
Let’s also briefly examine why the other options are not correct:
- a. Embezzlement: This refers to the fraudulent taking of personal property by someone to whom it was entrusted, typically in a workplace setting (e.g., an employee stealing from their employer). Connor was not entrusted with the baseball by anyone; he acted independently.
- b. Mail fraud: This involves using the postal service or interstate mail carriers as part of a scheme to defraud. While Connor may have shipped the baseball via mail, the central act of fraud took place online.
- c. Identity theft: This involves stealing someone else’s personal identifying information (e.g., Social Security number) and using it without their permission. While Connor used Babe Ruth’s name deceptively, he did not assume Babe Ruth’s full identity for unlawful purposes.
In conclusion, since Connor used the internet to commit fraud, he is guilty of internet fraud.