stupid question: why can't someone buy/sell to himself

[Technician]

obviously this can't be the case, but what stops say, a market maker or someone buying/selling shares in different accounts to himself?

like if a stock has little liquidity couldn't you move the price to wherever you wanted?

 

[Fireplace]

I'm sure you CAN do it, but it's manipulation and, if caught, you'd be in some serious shit

Quote from Technician:

obviously this can't be the case, but what stops say, a market maker or someone buying/selling shares in different accounts to himself?

like if a stock has little liquidity couldn't you move the price to wherever you wanted?

 

[nLepwa]

And also it could lead to tax fraud.

There is a mechanism in Switzerland for lending to yourself legally...

Ninna

 

[nazzdack]

Quote from Technician:
----buying/selling shares in different accounts to himself?
----a stock has little liquidity....
----move the price to wherever you wanted?

1) What you're suggesting is called creating "wash sales".
2) It is a "problem" with lower volume issues.