Man fined for bidding on his own online auctions
Paul Barrett was sentenced to 250 hours of unpaid work and a £5,000 fine for trying to boost the price of his goods on eBay.The minibus firm owner is the first eBay seller to be prosecuted for so-called shill bidding.
Bradford Crown Court heard that the 39-year-old used two seller identities on the site and would advertise under one and bid under the other name.
If he ended up winning the item, he left positive feedback.
Mr Barrett conducted the scam on two Mercedes vehicles, a digital camera, three mobile phones and a pie and pasty warmer.
Judge Peter Benson, sentencing, said: "This sort of conduct strikes at the heart of that trust which is vital if this very, very useful commercial medium is to continue to operate successfully."
On July 1st, two people were given a 12 month suspended sentence for using eBay to sell fake Banksy prints.
Posted by Harry Baxter
