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Magic Wand Bomb Detector Deemed Fraudulent, Inventor Imprisoned

21 points by joelrunyon 15y ago

monochromatic 15y ago
Inventor, not investor.
- joelrunyon 15y ago
  fixed - sorry about that.
powertower 15y ago
I'd rather see the government officials that pushed the purchase of these "magic sticks" through imprisoned for criminal negligence. Now that would be a worthy story to upvote!
- trotsky 15y ago
  criminal negligence More like fraud / bribery / public corruption - the story here is pretty obviously about kickbacks not gullibility.
noonespecial 15y ago
I wish they'd make it a little more clear. He didn't sell a bomb detector that didn't work. He knowingly sold something wasn't a bomb detector as if it was one.
Pinckney 15y ago
This is from Jan 2010. McCormick still hasn't been charged, and is still out on bail. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-16623678 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-16623678
- kcvv 15y ago
  The sad part is I still see this device being used - the security guys using this have no idea this is a scam - Even if its pointed out to them, they cannot do anything except follow orders from the top.
sumukh1 15y ago
I think this quote by the founder explains it all. >We have been dealing with doubters for 10 years. One of the problems we have is that the machine does look a little primitive. We are working on a new model that has flashing lights This is obviously a case of taking advantage of people in a desperate situation. He's selling a product that he knows won't do any good (because it's a scam) and as a result risking lives. The linked video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rQMwXo1SSVo http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=r...) shows plenty of proof that it simply doesn't work (instead relying on the subconscious movements of your wrist). It's power supply is supposedly the static electricity of the wearer. In fact, the supposed "secret" behind the "machine" are the cards that can "detect" certain materials that are suspicious (Dollar Bills, Elephants, and Bombs) (Note that he really tried running the gamut of possible crimes to sell this "product"). When inspected, the card contains of all things an RFID chip (that can't possibly do anything).

21 points by joelrunyon 15y ago

monochromatic 15y ago

Inventor, not investor.

joelrunyon 15y ago
fixed - sorry about that.

powertower 15y ago

I'd rather see the government officials that pushed the purchase of these "magic sticks" through imprisoned for criminal negligence. Now that would be a worthy story to upvote!

trotsky 15y ago
criminal negligence More like fraud / bribery / public corruption - the story here is pretty obviously about kickbacks not gullibility.

noonespecial 15y ago

I wish they'd make it a little more clear. He didn't sell a bomb detector that didn't work. He knowingly sold something wasn't a bomb detector as if it was one.

Pinckney 15y ago

This is from Jan 2010. McCormick still hasn't been charged, and is still out on bail. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-16623678 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-16623678

kcvv 15y ago
The sad part is I still see this device being used - the security guys using this have no idea this is a scam - Even if its pointed out to them, they cannot do anything except follow orders from the top.

sumukh1 15y ago

I think this quote by the founder explains it all. >We have been dealing with doubters for 10 years. One of the problems we have is that the machine does look a little primitive. We are working on a new model that has flashing lights This is obviously a case of taking advantage of people in a desperate situation. He's selling a product that he knows won't do any good (because it's a scam) and as a result risking lives. The linked video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rQMwXo1SSVo http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=r...) shows plenty of proof that it simply doesn't work (instead relying on the subconscious movements of your wrist). It's power supply is supposedly the static electricity of the wearer. In fact, the supposed "secret" behind the "machine" are the cards that can "detect" certain materials that are suspicious (Dollar Bills, Elephants, and Bombs) (Note that he really tried running the gamut of possible crimes to sell this "product"). When inspected, the card contains of all things an RFID chip (that can't possibly do anything).