I've been listening to this story on ABC radio today.
I tend to have a little giggle when I hear the term "fake bomb detectors" as I wonder who could be so gullible as to actually buy a fake bomb detector. Then I realise how serious it is, but then I revert to "how f*****g stupid". He's made an estimated $75 million from selling bomb detection devices to several countries, including Georgia, Saudi Arabia and in particular Iraq. Iraq is thought to have spent around $40 million on 6,000 of the devices between 2008 and 2010. They were complete fakes, based on a cheap golf ball finder sold in the United States.another link From my googling I think this is one in Thailand. http://www.abc.net.au/news/image/4261800-3x2-940x627.jpg Didn't anyone look into if it actually works! |
Wow that's crazy. I am surprised he was arrested though. Given how many questionable products are being sold out there, like the thing that can improve your fuel economy by plugging it into your car's cigarette lighter, or Sim City.
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Are you meaning to tell me you haven't actually watched "In Saddam's Shadow: Baghdad 10 years after the invasion" by Vice?
It talks about those fake bomb detectors and other stuff happening there too. The saddest part about that is that even though everyone pretty much know they're fakes, so much money was spent the Iraqi forces are still using those fake bomb detectors to supposedly deter away the bombers. Of course that didn't deter s*** and instead it costed even more lives. |
Thought for a moment the dude was selling detectors to detect fake bombs from real bombs.
Surely they would test a device before committing to mass purchases. |
Any idea if the buyers will be partially refunded? It hopefully gave those governments a long lasting memory regarding checking the scientific stance first.
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Thought for a moment the dude was selling detectors to detect fake bombs from real bombs. Hah! A detect a fake bomb? So you put anything under it and the alarm goes off 'Yep, not a bomb'. But when you put a real bomb under it nothing happens. 'Probably a bomb'. |