Minor request, can you add links to sources in the original post, so that it's easy to validate the facts?
In particular, if you remember where you found the source for the following answer, I would appreciate it:
Q: Is it possible for merit source to sell merits ?
A: This is possible but everything is public and it will be caught. Also, there are limits.
(I would like to know whether the forum has its own rules against it or "caught" just means negative trust)
Although I didn't find that answer all over the forum but this is still the best reply for this question. I guess?
Consequences for the selling merit could be very bad for them.
Lutpin says: "It isn't allowed for sources to sell their merit, a punishment could go from being booted as source all the way up to getting your account banned, depending on how far you stepped out of line."