Warning over eBay bidding trick

Online auction bidders have been given a "wake-up call" after a man was prosecuted for bidding against himself to raise prices. Trading standards officers warn it is illegal to push up a price artificially by bidding against yourself or by getting family or friends to do so. The process is known as shill bidding and breaks new European Union fair trading rules. Offences carry a maximum fine of £5,000 in UK law. Minibus hire firm boss Paul Barrett, 39, from Stanley, County Durham, pleaded guilty to 10 offences at Skipton Magistrates' Court after using two separate eBay accounts to bid on and increase the prices of his own items.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8632357.stm