Routine Activity Theory Case Analysis on Triangular Fraud and Victim Risk in Facebook’s Second-hand Marketplace

Triangular fraud is a form of electronic transaction-based fraud involving three independent parties, where the perpetrator manipulates the trust relationship between the parties to gain illegal profits. This study analyzes a case of triangular fraud in the sale of used goods on Facebook using the Routine Activity Theory approach by Cohen and Felson (1979), which states that crime occurs when three elements converge: a motivated offender, a suitable target, and the absence of capable guardianship. The method used is a descriptive qualitative approach, with data collected through interviews with victims and perpetrators, as well as analysis of secondary documents such as articles, news, and journals. The results show that the perpetrators are motivated by economic factors and exploit gaps in Facebook's security system to orchestrate the fraud scenario. Victims, both experienced and inexperienced, are vulnerable due to a lack of verification, emotional states, and excessive trust. In addition, the lack of oversight from the platform, minimal digital literacy, and weak protection from law enforcement officers increase the likelihood of crime occurring. This study concludes that the three elements in the theory are interrelated and thoroughly explain how triangular fraud can occur. This research is expected to contribute to improving digital literacy in society and developing online consumer protection policies.