Pretty thin Norm. If shill bidding was used as a tool it's illegal. Other cases are charged under various forms of fraud therefore it must be a form of fraud.

http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abn/y02/m02/i08/s02

Is there a specific law stating that killing someone with a $200 stike is illegal? The act comes under the murder laws as does shill bidding with fraud.

Tom