Seller Posts Live WWII Bomb for Sale on eBay

Southampton, England Hampshire Police arrested a 51-year-old man who placed a live WWII incendiary bomb for sale on eBay. The German munition was listed for just over $20 US dollars on the online marketplace with a claim that it was a "genuine authentic" device dropped in the Southampton Blitz. The seller even promised to send the munition to potential buyers through Royal Mail.

Officers hunted down the bomb after a WWII era collector spotted the item for sale and immediately reported it to the police. One person had already made a bid for the cigar-shaped UXO which was pictured laid out on a table.

The collector reportedly notified the seller that the munition was live, but the seller did not remove the listing. The collector believes that the seller found the munition in a Southampton river, and said that if it had been left to dry out any more it could have detonated.

Responding officers established a 50 meter cordon around the area and EOD then removed the device from the house and disposed of it in a controlled explosion. The seller has since been released from custody after being charged with suspicion of possessing an explosive substance for an unlawful purpose.

A spokesman for eBay said, "Clearly, dangerous weapons such as unexploded bombs are not allowed to be listed on eBay. We worked closely with Hampshire Police to quickly identify and locate this seller, aiding the successful and safe disposal of the item."