To think I’m being swindled

[Magschoice]

I viewed a house today.

Asking price £165k

I got a phonecall from the estate agent two hours before viewing, they stated it had gone up to £177k and was I still interested in viewing. I phoned them back to confirm I was and to confirm the viewing. They then told me another offer had been made of £179k

I went and viewed the house and really liked it so put a bid on at £180k.

What’s confused me is that when I asked the owners that current bids were sitting at 179k they were surprised to hear this. They said that they were informed that morning that bids were sitting at 175k.

Now I’m beginning to wonder whether the other offers are actually real offers or whether the estate agent is making them up to get more money for the house.

Surely they are legally obliged to inform the vendor that they had two additional offers, one at 177k and another at 179k?

Can anyone advise

Surely they are legally obliged to inform the vendor that they had two additional offers, one at 177k and another at 179k?
Yes they are.

Yes, an agent is legally obliged to put every offer forward to the vendor in writing. Perhaps they just hadn't put the last offer forward, waiting to see if you offered too?

Can I legally request confirmation of bids?

Surely they can just make offers up on paper too?