Justice Department<\/a>, the EBLOCK Corporation acquired an online auction platform based in California in November 2020. From November 2020 to February 2022, the auction allegedly conspired with another company to \u201csuppress and eliminate\u201d competitors for vehicles sold on the online platform. The auction was also reported to have taken part in \u201cshill bidding,\u201d the placement of fake bids to artificially increase the sales prices for used vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cEBLOCK is charged with entering into and engaging\u00a0in conspiracy through individuals who became employees of EBLOCK as a result of an asset acquisition, to suppress competition by rigging bids and pooling profits in online used vehicle acquisitions,\u201d said court documents filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Deputy Assistant Attorney General Omeed Assefi of the Justice Department\u2019s Antitrust Division estimated the scheme tallied nearly $16 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service was involved in the investigation as documents were sent through the U.S. Mail during the alleged scheme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Along with the fine, EBLOCK has agreed to \u201cundertake remedial measures, including implementing an appropriate compliance program and cooperating with the Justice Department\u2019s ongoing criminal investigation and any resulting prosecutions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Justice Department disclosed a $1 million reward to a whistleblower for reporting the alleged criminal activity to the Justice Department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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