I would suspect the idea started out just as one of wondering how flawed eBay's affiliate tracking system was. Then, they figure well may be I'll be able to do this a few weeks or a month, they'll kick me off and I won't get paid. But, that doesn't happen and instead commissioned account reps (I am assuming they are on commission) keep encouraging it.

A lot of things fall under wire fraud rules. A lot of very common and routine business practices qualify as wire fraud. The fact that that is the only charge is very telling.