Merged [Ed] Get involved detecting the ade 651 detector / Jim McCormick arrested

From the BBC article:

BBC said:
Concern over the use of dowsing rods to detect bombs was first raised by American sceptic, James Randi.

Mr Randi has confirmed to the BBC that he is still offering Mr McCormick $1m if he can prove that the ADE-651 works.
Click to expand...

Edit:

Just wanted to add a well done to everyone involved with bringing this to the attention of the UK authorities, you may have helped save lives.
 
Last edited:
I will be watching Newsnight tonight with interest.
 
Grist for the mill:

Code: 
timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6997859.ece

Arrested for woo? The implications are boundless . . .
 
Last edited:
GREAT NEWS, first the exposure in the New York Times now the fraudster-in-chief has been arrested. I may have a drink or 10 tonight to celebrate.
Don't forget the other fraudsters, namely Gary Bolton og the GT200 fame, let's get them all arrested.
regards
 
I spotted the Sniffex on the website of 'Light Aircraft Pty Ltd' today. The site gives their location as Mosman in New South Wales.

First time I've seen one of these products being peddled by an Australian business.
 
Dave_46 said:
Listening to the Radio 4 six o'clock news, the export of these devices is to be banned.
Click to expand...

But from I've just heard on TV - only to some countries namely Iraq and Afghanistan. The owner of the company,Jim McCormick, is currently on a sales trip to Romania
 
Last edited:
It seems this follows a BBC investigation.
Pity they didn't just read this thread.
Or did they?
 
Last edited:
Police arrest MD of dowsing-rod 'bomb detector' firm El Reg has picked up on it as well.

When a reporter couldn't get the dowsing rod to work, the general blithely stated:

"You need more training."
Click to expand...

Tragedy is close to comedy.

zooterkin said:
According to the Newsnight programme, the Iraqi government has spent $85 million on these devices.
Click to expand...

Could be an advertising feature. I found $85 million just with the help of my dowsing rod (and a poor grasp of morals and a willingness to see the conned get killed or maimed for trusting me).
 
Last edited:
Soapy Sam said:
It seems this follows a BBC investigation.
Pity they didn't just read this thread.
Or did they?
Click to expand...

That is what I want to know. What was the role of this forum and this thread in all of this? Did some people who are involved in the investigation at least read this thread? It would be great if they could give a plug to this forum if they did.
 
rjh01 said:
That is what I want to know. What was the role of this forum and this thread in all of this? Did some people who are involved in the investigation at least read this thread? It would be great if they could give a plug to this forum if they did.
Click to expand...

The Times Online did mention that Randi had challenged McCormick to prove his device works ($1m). There are a couple of other forums that have been following and campaigning on these detectors for some time. Thailand and Mexico, among other countries, are major buyers. Pretty much every corrupt regime...

BBC's Newsnight headline story was pretty thorough, mentioning various US military and civilian laboratory tests of similar devices (all judged fraudulent or ineffective) - although they gave the impression it was their 'scoop'. I don't recall them saying that McCormick had been arrested - but they couldn't find him for their report.

The Independent (UK) newspaper gives this story their full front page, so it's safe to say it's well and truly broken to the public... Yess!

However, I find it amazing that despite the clearly fraudulent claims, these devices can only be banned from export to countries where British nationals are at risk.
 
Last edited:
dlorde said:
BBC's Newsnight headline story was pretty thorough, mentioning various US military and civilian laboratory tests of similar devices (all judged fraudulent or ineffective) - although they gave the impression it was their 'scoop'.
Click to expand...
They did achieve one scoop though: Getting hold of a set of the "programming" cards which are claimed to tune the device to whichever compound it's required to detect. For those who didn't see it - when they peeled one (labelled "TNT") apart it just contained a dumb RF tag like those used to prevent shoplifting.
 
dlorde said:
<snip>
The Independent (UK) newspaper gives this story their full front page, so it's safe to say it's well and truly broken to the public... Yess!
<snip>
Click to expand...
None of which mentions the forum or any other forum which may have helped the story get to the front page. Maybe this thread and others like it are an irrelevance to the outside world?


Techowiz said:
The BBC newsnight programme for our non UK supporters can be found at the link:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00q9hx6/Newsnight_22_01_2010/

regards
Click to expand...

Jack by the hedge said:
Sadly I suspect that link won't work outside the UK.
Click to expand...
I fixed your quote for you.
 
'Bomb detector' maker Jim McCormick arrested

'Bomb detector' maker Jim McCormick arrested
Jim McCormick
Jim McCormick sells the hand-held detectors from his offices in Somerset

The director of a company which sold a bomb-detecting device to 20 countries, including Iraq, has been arrested.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure I saw an article about this device a while back on JREF.

I wonder how he was able to convince anyone that his device was actually working.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

ISF - Join now!

Every member here is approved by hand. No bots, no spam, just people who care about evidence and honest debate.

Membership is free!

Create your free account

Back
Top Bottom