Puffer

A person employed by the owner of property which is sold at auction to bid it up, who does so accordingly, for the purpose of raising the price upon bona fide bidders. This is a fraud, which, at the choice of the purchaser, invalidates the sale. 3 Madd. 112; 5 Madd. 37, 440; 12 Ves. 483; 1 Fonbl. Eq. 227, note; 2 Kent, Comm. 423; Cowp. 395; 3 Ves. 628; 3 Term R. 963; 6 Term R. 642; 2 Brown, Ch. 326; 1 P. A. Browne (Pa.) 346; 11 Serg. & R. (Pa.) 89; 2 Hayw. (N. C.) 328; 4 Har. & McH. (Md.) 282; 2 Dev. (N. C.) 126; 2 Const. (S. C.) 821. See "Auction;" "Bidder."