RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — A 17,000-square-foot Raleigh mansion owned by a Russian national now in prison after a federal bribery and fraud plea deal went up for auction Friday.

But, despite nine registered bidders and dozens of “formal buyer inquiries,” the seller decided at the last minute Friday afternoon to withdraw the luxury home from the auction, officials said.

The house, which was offered in a $10 million auction earlier this year, sits hidden behind a large gate and trees blocking a clear view. Longtime Raleigh residents told NewsNation affiliate WNCN that it’s unique.

“It’s huge. I’ve never seen anything like it in the North Ridge area, and we’ve lived here for 27 years,” Natalie Eroh said.

What also interested passers-by was the story behind the multimillion-dollar home’s former owner.

Leonid and Tatyana Teyf had to forfeit the house as part of a plea deal in 2021.

“I did some more research, and it was pretty interesting. It’s not something you’d expect in, obviously, North Raleigh, North Ridge area,” Eroh told WNCN.

On Friday, the home was being offered in the auction without a reserve, which meant the highest bid would win — even if it were well below what the seller wanted.

The company handling the home’s auction said it was a “great surprise and disappointment” when the mansion was pulled from the sale Friday.

“The seller made this election despite having top-tier performance metrics for the auction promotion, which included more than 93 formal buyer inquiries and 25 property visits during a four-week period,” Platinum Luxury Auctions told WNCN in a statement.

The house is on two acres and overlooks the 18th green at North Ridge Country Club, off Falls of Neuse Road.

It has eight bedrooms and bathrooms, six half bathrooms, two elevators, and two kitchens.

“Our predicted price range for the sale was on target with what I understand to be the full amount for which the property appraised in a seller-ordered appraisal, thus compounding our surprise regarding the cancellation,” an auction company representative said.

The home also features an infinity-edge saltwater pool and spa.

“Two privately gated entries lead to a circular pebble drive and a heated, four-car garage hidden on the side of the residence,” the property description read.

The wine cellar has “an authentic bank vault door,” the auction company said.

The property will remain available for direct offers and negotiation through Platinum Luxury Auctions or through an agent at Engel & Völkers, the auction company said.

“We welcome any negotiations, and Platinum has no plan to reschedule or re-offer the property for luxury auction sale,” a statement said.