This week she announced that her bureau is aggregating Internet auction fraud complaints from state officials, consumer groups and online auctions such as eBay (EBAY) into a massive database for exclusive use by law enforcement.

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Vacant land was sold at public auction, and speculation, fraud and corruption flourished as buying and selling lots became the biggest game in town.

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Mr Koch, an energy magnate and brother of major US industrialists David and Charles Koch, also said he would use the settlement to help eliminate fraud in the wine auction market and would create a website to help spot fake wines and their dealers.

BBC: Billionaire William Koch wins $12m in wine fraud case