Tax collectors might purchase a position of authority at a public auction and then profit from what was collected.
فَكَانُوا يَشْتَرُونَ مَنَاصِبَهُمْ فِي مَزَادَاتٍ عَلَنِيَّةٍ ،‏ ثُمَّ يَسْتَغِلُّونَهَا لِجَنْيِ ٱلْأَرْبَاحِ .‏