Hello all, it’s the scam-spotter again.

Not some dodgy, Beijing-registered nark that no-one falls for. This time it’s a zero-rated seller claiming to be from Manchester. Here’s the listing:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1957-Fender-Tweed-Bassman-Guitar-Amplifier-THE-BEST_W0QQitemZ280124839192QQihZ018QQcategoryZ10171QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Which is a “cor blimey” amplifier worth around £5000 and never seen by me before on this side of the pond. Strange number of Americanisms in the description text (and 12k must refer to dollars; no-one’s mad enough to pay £12,000) and no reserve price even though the text says there is one. Yep, it’s another hijacked auction and here’s the legitimate original that closed out on eBay in the US:

http://cgi.ebay.com/1957-Fender-Tweed-Bassman-Guitar-Amplifier-THE-BEST_W0QQitemZ290123770755QQihZ019QQcategoryZ38074QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Note that the original seller’s mistake with Fender’s “GK” code is uncorrected in this copy. I’ve alerted the original seller to complain, although, seeing as I’m near Manchester, I’m tempted to switch to my Fleeb alter-ego and send the scammer an offer to buy off-Fleeb. I’ll be at Manchester Bus Station wearing a red carnation, I’d prefer you to wear a stripey top and black eye mask so that I recognize you, I’ll be bringing five grand in used 10p pieces. That sort of stuff 😈