Warning as man admits online auction fixing
ONLINE auction traders were yesterday warned against bidding on their own goods to hike prices after an eBay seller became the first person in the UK to be prosecuted for online auction fixing.
Paul Barrett, 39, from Stanley, County Durham, is facing a fine of up to 50,000 after admitting bidding against himself on the online auction website.
The minibus hire firm boss used two separate eBay accounts to bid on and increase the prices of his own items.
Barrett pleaded guilty to ten offences at Skipton Magistrates' Court. The case was adjourned for sentencing at Bradford Crown Court on 21 May.
Barrett told the court he did not realise that bidding on his own items was an offence.
Vanessa Canzini, head of corporate communications for eBay in Europe, said: "Shill bidding is illegal and it is important for people to understand that there is not, nor has there ever been, room for illegal activity on our site."
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