[faet]

Chances are he had a blog or something with content/pages and got approved. Then just re-used the codes/keys for the affiliate links on this new site. Once you start making money Amazon doesn't care.

Source: Me. I had a comparison tool for products with similar layout to this. They originally denied it citing 'lack of content'. Made a 2nd website with some blogs/reviews, it was approved. Re-used the code/api for the comparison tool and closed the other website. They haven't complained in 12 years.

[jamghee]

Ah, that is an interesting tactic. I think I'd be worried there's some 0.0001% chance Amazon would find out and ask for all the money back.