"Useless" bomb detector used by thousands

yermum · 24 Jan 2010 at 18:51

I don't believe anything any more unless I've checked it out with Ben Goldacre first. Read his stuff - it's brilliant.

Biohazard · 24 Jan 2010 at 18:56

you need more training lol.

and this is from a general?

why is the world we live in so dissapointing and full of idiots?

V4NT0M · 24 Jan 2010 at 19:15

g0th2000 said:
Iraqi officials defending it!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/8477601.stm

They must have received one hell of a bung

"Not all those who use the instrument are fully trained, the user needs to be alert and adept at using it."

Training? You hold it up and it points in the direction of a bomb*, how is that hard?

*In theory.

Gerard · 24 Jan 2010 at 19:38

James Randi debunked that pos years ago yet American (and british) agencies Kept using it...

Energize · 24 Jan 2010 at 19:49

Meridian said:
Actually any number of homeopaths have advised people with cancer not to take conventional medicine, but to stick with the homeopath's "cure". You can guess the result. Clue: it's not cure.

M

Not to mention Chiropractors "spinal manipulation" which has resulted in deaths.

hood1971 · 25 Jan 2010 at 09:32

dangerstat said:
I'd be very surprised if $20,000 of the $40,000 price didn't end up in the buyers pocket

Sounds about right, worked on quotes selling military electronics to middle-east countries and after our first quote we were instructed increase the amount to cover "incedental costs" along the way.

doodah · 23 Apr 2013 at 15:22

James McCormick, 56, was found guilty at the Old Bailey of three counts of fraud after jurors heard the devices did not work.

Source

Wonder if the Iraqi government are still going to deny they have been duped

robgmun · 23 Apr 2013 at 15:31

Fruad?

To be frank you have to be so utterly brain dead to believe any of this crap that they deserved to be taken for a ride.

C.R.A.Z.Y · 23 Apr 2013 at 16:08

Yes of course fraud! It's the definition of fraud.

fraud
/frôd/
Noun
Wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain.
A person or thing intended to deceive others, typically by unjustifiably claiming or being credited with accomplishments or qualities.

Yeah stupid and/or naive / gullible people deserve to be robbed and scammed!! What a rancid mind-set :rolleyes:

TheVoice · 23 Apr 2013 at 17:04

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22267468

"Police say the only genuine part of it was the case" - hahaha.

StriderX · 23 Apr 2013 at 17:14

So its okay for military's to invade nations and unfortunately kill civilians, but a guy cant make a buck off of a scam?

Some free market this is!

robgmun · 23 Apr 2013 at 17:21

C.R.A.Z.Y said:
Yeah stupid and/or naive / gullible people deserve to be robbed and scammed!! What a rancid mind-set

Maybe they need to stop being so retarded and engage their brain once in a while. They have only themselves to blame. This is what we get when we don't have evolution any more, the lazy brained think they can be nannied through out life.

Soundood · 23 Apr 2013 at 17:21

seems legit

fez · 23 Apr 2013 at 17:49

robgmun said:
Maybe they need to stop being so retarded and engage their brain once in a while. They have only themselves to blame. This is what we get when we don't have evolution any more, the lazy brained think they can be nannied through out life.

So you reckon that the only person using these 1000's of devices is the idiot that bought them. The guy deserves to rot for what he has done. None of the end users will have known they were dodgy and they will have been the victims ultimately.

If my boss gives me a piece of equipment to use to find bombs, I would tend to think they worked.

Woden · 23 Apr 2013 at 17:51

Put him in a room with 10 doors, one being safe. Of course he can use his detector...

JonJ678 · 23 Apr 2013 at 17:52

That's sad news. Worrying precedent too. He sold a piece of plastic, claiming it does something that he knows it does not. Shops are full of crap that doesn't work.

At least it looks like he managed to **** away all the income before being convicted.

TheVoice · 23 Apr 2013 at 17:56

I see the Iraqi General who claimed the device was very effective (and was the self-proclaimed world expert on bombs) is now in jail due to corruption charges.

Kind of makes you wonder just how many people knew it was fake.

bazaarboy · 23 Apr 2013 at 17:56

hope he rots. this wasn't some "victimless" crime, innocent people died because of this man's callous plan to make big bucks
almost as bad as the retards who trying to defend what happened, as though the buyers are somehow responsible...

robgmun · 23 Apr 2013 at 18:50

fez said:
So you reckon that the only person using these 1000's of devices is the idiot that bought them. The guy deserves to rot for what he has done. None of the end users will have known they were dodgy and they will have been the victims ultimately.

Just. no. words. :rolleyes:

Montala · 23 Apr 2013 at 18:56

I thought that this thread had only just been started, but I now see that it is in fact over three years old!

Why on earth then has it taken so long to bring him to court, and for him to face prosecution?