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Fraud in the buckeye state: A geospatial and temporal analysis of fraud victimization reports in Ohio, 2024

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  • Maher, Cooper A.
  • Engle, Timothy A.
  • McGrath, Matthew
  • Nedelec, Joseph L.

Abstract

Fraud is increasingly common, affecting millions of people annually, resulting in substantial consequences. While previous studies examining fraud have proliferated in recent years, it remains less clear whether there exist geospatial or temporal patterns in fraud victimization. The lack of research relating to these topics is consequential, given the potential for targeted victim support strategies to be formulated based upon deeper understandings of fraud concentration. The current study used data from the Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker Database (https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker) to geospatially analyze fraud trends in Ohio in 2024 (n = 3219). The findings suggest that fraud is unequally distributed around Ohio's major metropolitan areas, and that fraud occurred most frequently and with the highest dollar loss in January and July, respectively. The study illustrates the need for geographically and temporally targeted victim supports relating to online purchase fraud concentrated within Ohio's major metropolitan areas, and highlights the need for continued geospatial analyses of fraud.

Suggested Citation

  • Maher, Cooper A. & Engle, Timothy A. & McGrath, Matthew & Nedelec, Joseph L., 2025. "Fraud in the buckeye state: A geospatial and temporal analysis of fraud victimization reports in Ohio, 2024," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jcjust:v:101:y:2025:i:c:s0047235225001849
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102535
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    References listed on IDEAS

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