Filed to avoid rusting, yupp just rough the surface and remove the paint, might aswell put a to let sign on it to invite the rust in
Not defending the guy, but it says
filled to prevent rusting. Which would make sense, if you thought it could rust.
(And I once brought a bike into
Evans, for the 6 week service. I pointed out a scratch in the paint down to the metal. I said "that won't rust, will it?" "Oh yes it will, bare metal" he replied. "I thought it was aluminium". "You're right, it won't rust")
Still stolen. And the guy is clearly trading in stolen goods if not a thief himself. And if he didn't steal it, doesn't mind selling it for a tiny amount, as that's likely to be close to what he paid.