Inside the shadow market where Amazon sellers bribe employees

Bloomberg obtained testimony from an Amazon third‑party seller about a hidden bribery network. The seller described paying Amazon employees for confidential information and preferential treatment. Payments were made through untraceable channels, often disguised as consulting fees. Access to internal tools allowed sellers to manipulate product rankings and pricing. The practice undermines Amazon’s marketplace integrity and violates federal anti‑bribery laws. Company officials have launched an internal investigation after the revelations. Regulators are reviewing the allegations as part of a broader crackdown on e‑commerce fraud. Industry observers warn the scandal could prompt stricter compliance requirements for marketplace sellers. The seller’s account provides rare insight into how such shadow markets operate behind the scenes.