In a number of high-value cases, no one spent any money at all, just transaction fees; they traded to themselves to give the appearance of a higher price.
Wait, are you talking about NFTs still or auction of physical goods?
I assume your comment is tongue in cheek since this practice happens in both industries. Perhaps you can help me though, I've been trying to remember the term used for this for weeks. I seem to recall it being called something like "washing the pipe" or something like that....?
It’s typically referred to as a wash trade or a wash sale.