Overview
- Federal prosecutors said the whistleblower’s information led to a deferred prosecution agreement with EBLOCK over conduct on online used‑car auctions.
- EBLOCK will pay a $3.28 million criminal fine, implement compliance measures, and cooperate with the Justice Department’s ongoing investigation.
- Court filings describe legacy employees at an acquired platform conspiring with a second company from November 2020 to February 2022 to suppress competition.
- Investigators say the scheme used shared bidding data, special access to confidential information, and software that placed fake bids under real dealership names without consent.
- Officials characterized the conduct as a $16 million fraud that raised prices for second‑hand car buyers, and noted whistleblower awards can range from 15% to 30% of money collected when tips lead to at least $1 million in recoveries.