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When a jilted lover set for divorce carved every item he owned in half to get back at his ex, everyone thought it was hilarious.

But all was not as it seemed.

A German eBay user going by the username der.juli was filmed slicing up all his valuable belongings - claiming that he helped earn half of them as he readied for divorce proceedings.

Footage of the drastic action was then uploaded onto YouTube alongside the caption: "Thank you for 12 beautiful years, Laura. You really deserve half.

"Greeting also to my successor."

The products were then sold off on eBay in a series of bizarre listings on the online marketplace.

Their computer

(Image: Ebay)

Their car

(Image: Ebay)

Their iPhone

(Image: Ebay)

Their sofa

(Image: Ebay)

Even their teddy bear

(Image: Ebay)

But it has since emerged that the video and images were a hoax, put on by legal firm Deutsche Anwaltauskunft, an information portal for the German Bar Association.

Admitting to the ruse on its website, it said: "The idea behind it was to humorously point to a problem that is not only relevant in Germany: Too few married couples take precautions for the case of a possible separation - for example with a marriage contract.

"The event of divorce then often ends in bitter fights under which not only cars and furniture suffer but especially the affected couples and their children.

"Hopefully, at least, you felt well entertained."

The items that were sawed in half however were legitimately sold on eBay.

All proceedings have gone to charity.