Detect the ADE 651 Detection Equipment

[Dubious Dick]

Some of you may have seen Randis challenge to the ADE 651 posted recently. Unfortunately looks like they are having problems on the site at the moment, and the piece has temporarily disappeared (maybe a psychic enemy has sent in enemy thoughtwaves!!)

Anyway, it seems that this 'dowsing' equipment is being sold to detect all sorts of things e.g. explosives. And of course, if it does not work, as it cannot, then someone may get blown to smithereens as a result of this scam.

I have been trying to hunt the person/people down behind the scam, but the contact details on related websites appear to be fake or just p.o. boxes e.g. the Bristol address on the following site. The St. Helens one, according to their next door neighbours (a beauty shop - must pay a visit!) is either a barber shop or unoccupied barbershop above it.

http://www.cumberlandindustries.com/ade651.htm

http://www.atscltd.com/

Seems it is impossible to track it down at the moment. I have engaged the guy on You Tube. See here:

http://uk.youtube.com/comment_servlet?all_comments&v=OyMP5dBSa2c

Anyone fancy joining in to try to locate him so we can try to get Trading Standards on to it?

[Mulder]

This might explain an odd conversation I had with a 'believer' recently. I was explaining how electrostatic detectors worked and he seemed to believe they could pick up field readings remotely. They cannot, only being able to measure the field where they are (just as an altimeter cannot tell you the height of anywhere except where you are). The use of an antenna makes no real difference. Perhaps the guy picked up the idea from this device.

[Dubious Dick]

Sorry, make that 'an unoccupied flat above a barbers'.

It's effectively just dowsing by another name as far as I can see, dressed up in fancy clothes.

[Matt]

Anyone fancy joining in to try to locate him so we can try to get Trading Standards on to it?

I can tell you who owns the domain atscltd.com

http://whois.domaintools.com/atscltd.com (http://whois.domaintools.com/atscltd.com)


owner-contact: P-JYM93
owner-organization: ATSC
owner-fname: Jim
owner-lname: McCormick
owner-street: Park Farm, Curry Rivel, SOMERSET
owner-city: Curry Rivel
owner-zip: TA10 0AE
owner-country: GB
owner-phone: +44.08448403750
owner-email: http://source.domaintools.com/email.pgif?md5=71214777e50fb74a73de92dc0dc0c698&face=Atomic_Clock_Radio&size=7&color=000000&bgcolor=FFFFFF&format[]=transparent&face=Trebuchet&size=9&color=0000FF&bgcolor=FFFFFF&format[]=underline&format[]=transparent (http://www.domaintools.com/registrant-search/?and[]=71214777e50fb74a73de92dc0dc0c698)

Thought that may just be the guy who does their website.

Cumberland Industries.com is registered behind a privacy protector.

[Dubious Dick]

Should go into PI work Matt! Think this is the guy as have seen the name Mr. Jim on a blog which seems to have disappeared. Will get on to Trading Standards and see if they will go after him.

Cheers,
DD

[techowiz]

Hi DD,

In your quest to hunt these people down, information from companies house, states that, On the 10th October ATSC moved its registered office from, Rainford, St Helens to:

Dairy House Yard,
Sparkford,
Yeovil,
Somerset
BA22 7LH

DIRECTOR:
MCCORMICK, JAMES WILLIAM
Appointed:
24/07/1997
Nationality:
BRITISH
No. of Appointments:
3
Address:
PARK FARM

HAMBRIDGE

SOMERSET

TA10 0AE

SECRETARY:
THORNTON JAMES, ANNIE
Appointed:
01/08/2008
Nationality:
BRITISH
No. of Appointments:
1
Address:
4 MANOR FARM COTTAGES

BRADFORD ABBAS

SHERBORNE

DORSET

DT9 6RP

Like the way you tackled the guy on youtube.

[Dubious Dick]

Nice one Techo,

I will pass on to Trading Standards. Funny that the supposed appointed agents Cumberland were at the St. Helens address as well. Not clear what has happened to them. They seem to be on the run.

Someone on JREF is pursuing this as well, so will let them know.

DD

[techowiz]

Hi DD,

I think you will find that Trading Standards are pretty toothless in this matter. A point no doubt known when the guy you bated on youtube, used it as an excuse not to have to 'prove' his equipment.
From what I have read it sems these guys target the middle to far eastern countries and Africans, wonder why that is?
I note with interest they have not sold/marketed any in the UK or the US, probably because they know they would be arrested.
I did laugh when he said he had no need of a million dollars;D
He also admitted it would fail the JREF test, why did he not propose his own conditions then, if, as he believed the JREF was designed to fail him. Just so much BS, he gets really annoyed when not dealing with the gullible.
keep up the fight and post back any updates

[techowiz]

Oh dear, further info from companies house states:.....

Accounting Reference Date: 31/07
Last Accounts Made Up To: 31/07/2006 (TOTAL EXEMPTION FULL)
Next Accounts Due: 31/05/2008 OVERDUE
Last Return Made Up To: 23/07/2007
Next Return Due: 20/08/2008 OVERDUE

[Matt]

Oh dear, further info from companies house states:.....

Accounting Reference Date: 31/07
Last Accounts Made Up To: 31/07/2006 (TOTAL EXEMPTION FULL)
Next Accounts Due: 31/05/2008 OVERDUE
Last Return Made Up To: 23/07/2007
Next Return Due: 20/08/2008 OVERDUE


Companies' House can be quite forgiving of this if the correct excuse is offered. They'll even tell you what's an acceptable excuse if you ask them.

[Mulder]

I'm still trying to work out the difference between electrostatic charge from an explosive (not a good idea!) and a cardboard box. Am I missing something?

[Dubious Dick]

No Mulder, don't think you're missing anything! Think it's the ADE equipment that's likely to be missing everything!

As to TS. Have to agree. They seem to be largely toothless and under resourced, sadly. Having said that, am just trying to stir things up and put as much pressure on them and the sellers of this stuff as possible. There's a guy calling himself Kodabar over on JREF who is looking to pursue this as well.

Of course, if anyone out there is rich enough to buy one of these so we can out it to the test and then complain when it doesn't work, that would be good. Perhaps we can all club together? Anyone up for finding out how much they want?

[techowiz]

Hi DD,
Tried to send you a pm, which I am sure you will find of great interest, but you have the facility swithed off, please post when you have switched it on.

[Dubious Dick]

Hi techo, didn't realise. Switched on.

[techowiz]

I see that Mr Jim McCormick, the director of ATSC is fighting back with his own blog at:
I can't post URLs but if you google, ADE651 blogspot, you should find it.
He invites comments, I'm sure the good membership here will oblige him;D

Also, check out his new website:
Google ATSC ltd (sorry not allowed to post url's)
Previous comments about this must have touched a nerve, acknowledgements to Dubious Dick for them.

From his blog Mr Jim writes:

'Oh, and as a final point…the person who mentioned that he (or she) would take more interest if they were to see me ‘attempt’ to clear a landmine field……I HAVE………in Lebanon after the last invasion a couple of summers ago……..we found over 83 unexploded cluster bombs in the South……..it is documented……. '

No video then, well show us the 'documentation'.

[Mongrel]

Here you go Techowiz;

Blog - http://ade651.blogspot.com/
Site - http://www.atscltd.com/

[Mulder]

All blog comments are moderated! I tried posting one yesterday but it hasn't appeared so far.

[Dubious Dick]

Mulder et al. Yep. I've tried.. You can try engaging Mr. Jim on You Tube. Just search for ADE 651 and up comes his vid of a test with the Thai police! Guess what. They find something. What a surprise. Tube of smarties for anyone pointing out how they probably set this up. And guess how much they pay in backhanders to sell this stuff? Maltesers for that answer.

[Matt]

Mulder et al. Yep. I've tried.. You can try engaging Mr. Jim on You Tube. Just search for ADE 651 and up comes his vid of a test with the Thai police! Guess what. They find something. What a surprise. Tube of smarties for anyone pointing out how they probably set this up. And guess how much they pay in backhanders to sell this stuff? Maltesers for that answer.

The ideomotor effect works well with unblinded tests.

PS I don't want the blue ones.

[techowiz]

The youtube is moderated as well, I posted what atsc would describe as a 'negative' comment, hasnt appeared yet, although to be fair it was 5 days ago::)

[techowiz]

I see that, Global Technical Ltd, of:

Company:


GLOBAL TECHNICAL LTD

Address:

HEAD OFFICE
UNIT 7
The Glenmore Centre
Moat Way, Sevington
Ashford, Kent
TN24 0TL

Country:

United Kingdom

Telephone:

+44 (0)1233 501721

Facsimile:

+44 (0)8701 694017

Cellular:

+44 (0)7766 527769

The original maker of the MOLE system, is now flogging it under a different name, now called the, 'GT200'.
Of probably more concern is a quote from their website, that states:

'We have clients in over 40 countries and we draw on the support of the Ministry of Defence for product development, evaluation and training through the services of the Defence Exports Services Organisation'.

Even worse they go on to say:

'The company is a member of The Association of Police and Public Security Suppliers [APPSS], The Defence Manufacturers Association [DMA], The Security Export Focus Group, and is a United Nations Registered Supplier'.

Companies house shows:
Current Appointments

Number of current appointments: 3








SECRETARY:
BOLTON, HEATHER


Appointed:
01/02/2000
Date of Birth: 20/02/1970
Nationality:
BRITISH


No. of Appointments:
6


Address:
COPPERFIELDS



DAVID STREET HARVEL



MEOPHAM



KENT



DA13 0BT










DIRECTOR:
BOLTON, GARY


Appointed:
09/01/1997
Date of Birth: 12/12/1965
Nationality:
BRITISH


No. of Appointments:
3


Address:
COPPERFIELDS



DAVID STREET HARVEL



GRAVESEND



KENT



DA13 0BT

[Dubious Dick]

Target locked on and under surveillance.

If they have got some Govt approval it must be for other product/s. The other two are essentially paid for accreditations. This lot are up to their necks in it. I'm in process of alerting various people in hope their highly dubious claims of Govt/U.K. military connections/ approvals/ recognition will be checked and stamped on.

Not many EOD people (that's Explosives and Ordnance Disposal for the uninitiated in milspeak) I have met would fancy using this kit. They're usually very smart people who value their lives too much to wave about bits of plastic and radio aerials.

Think we might be creating some static! Fi fi fo fum, I smell the blood of a load of dum dums!

[Dubious Dick]

The MOD have been asked whether this shower of s**t shovellers are indeed 'officially' recognised.

Similarly the DMA and APPSS have been told about the somewhat dodgy record of Mr. Bolton and the GT range of products. Seems DMA and APPSS are the same effectively, and GT are members of APPSS. Usually these orgs are pay to play, but they may well be a bit upset to be assisting in the marketing of dowsing rods!

[techowiz]

Hi all, unmoderated blog created at:

http://explosivedetectorfrauds.blogspot.com/

Post comments freely WITHOUT restriction.

[Dubious Dick]

Techo has found a great new blog with a full run doen on athis explosves/narcotics detection garbage. If interested check it out at

http://sniffexquestions.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-will-sniffex-survive-criminal.html

[techowiz]

Mr Jim continues to try and defend the indefensible on his blog, where he, as always, ducks and dives around genuine questions. I have posted my response to his latest nonsense on:-

http://explosivedetectorfrauds.blogspot.com/

PLease feel free to join the debate. ALL posts welcome, unlike another blog I could.....ok will then mention, Mr Jims own ade apology b log.

[techowiz]

Mr Jim has taken to attacking me personally in his blog at:-

http://ade651.blogspot.com/


He goes on to waffle about not being concerned about the attention he is getting, even welcoming it. If you are not concerned MrJim why even mention it?

The points I have put to him, which of course he will not publish are situated at:-

http://explosivedetectorfrauds.blogspot.com/

Me thinks we are starting to get to Mr Jim, enjoy...
regards

[techowiz]

The guys on the left are saying, 'But the magic stick said it was clear'......

[Dubious Dick]

For those not in the know on this there is an excellent blog at

http://sniffexquestions.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

This deals with all the different products masquerading as detectors and all of which seem to have evolved from the SNIFFEX.

McCormick at ATSC has been frantically blogging away in response to our attacks. See:

http://ade651.blogspot.com/

Also do click onto Techos blog at:

http://explosivedetectorfrauds.blogspot.com/

If anyone can post the Techo and Sniffex blogs elsewhere as links that should help get the old Google rankings up a bit more.

He is obviously rattled and waffles on trying to divert the attention back to us, and make daft claims that double blind testing would not work, without explaining for one moment why this should be.

Bolton at Global Technical appears to be playing it cooler. Neither will be enjoying the attention.

There is definitely some press interest in this. We really do need an authoritative source to quote on the bs claims. I have condensed the laymans guide down to these things can only work by:

- smell (not credible over the distances and through shielding/water as they claim, and not what they claim anyway)

- signal/emission detection. ADE claim electrostatic detection, but it is obviously daft to suggest that any of the substances they say they can detect hold an electrostatic charge, or that even if they did, how a radio aerial stuck in a bit of plastic could possibly detect this.

- some sort of signal or charge that the units send out and which bounces back. Again not what they seem to be claiming and baloney anyway.

[lost thought]

It would save a lot of grief if they would addmit to the secret. It works by Magic of course. Who needs scientific explanations when we have perefctly good magic as used by our workshop wizards...:cheesy:


Lost Thought O0

[techowiz]

It would save a lot of grief if they would addmit to the secret. It works by Magic of course. Who needs scientific explanations when we have perefctly good magic as used by our workshop wizards...:cheesy:


Lost Thought O0

Lost Thought has discovered the truth behind the whole thing, the one avenue we did not explore, ok everyone pack up lets go home:'(
regards

[Dubious Dick]

Go here:

http://ade651gt200scamfraud.blogspot.com/

for a piccy of the delightful Mr. Jim 'Piggy' McCormick, the head of ATSC UK and purveyor of the very best in dowsing technology to the gullible and the corrupt.

If you see him around the Essex region please give him a big smacker and send my love. What a fine fellow!!

And if you are yet to enjoy the blogs detailing the fine work Jim and Gary Bolton at Global Technical (with their amazing GT200) do check out Techowiz at.
http://explosivedetectorfrauds.blogspot.com/

He has a new product which deserves you support, The amazing SUCKER 1. Please link to this and the other one below to get them more prominent on Google/ THANKS!!

http://sniffexquestions.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-will-sniffex-survive-criminal.html

Do I detect a nasty pong with my NASALPASSAGE5000?

[Mongrel]

Just wondering Dubious Dick, have you sent a link\bundle of information to James Randi?

He's normally quite receptive to reader input and you may see your name on the front page of Swift ;)

[Dubious Dick]

Hi Mongrel,

I got into this via the challenge from Randi to Cumberland Industries (I think JREF thought Cumberland were the originators when in fact they are a distributor). From there I hooked up with Kodabar and Techowiz and we have been merrily hunting since then.

Believe JREF had earlier picked up on the SNIFFEX and were alerted to the ADE 651 by a guy called Richard Saunders in Aus.

I have let Rich Montalvo at JREF know about our latest discoveries, including ref Global technical and the GT200.

best help at mo would be links to the blogs and making contact with M.P.s etc.

Do feel free to join in. More the merrier!!

Not that bothered about personal fame. Just like action!!

[Dubious Dick]

As part of our investigations/campaign against the ADE651 and GT200/5000 we noticed that Global Technical claim UK government/MOD support.

This seemed odd to say the least!! After all, it was Gary Bolton and GT who were behind the MOLE which comprehensivelt failed the tests at the Sandia Labs in the U.S., and who then morphed the MOLE into the GT.

Anyway, I wrote to the MOD and received the following reply:

Dear Mr Sutherland,


Thank you for your e-mail of 05 November to the Ministry of Defence concerning Global Technical Limited.


I can confirm that the MOD are aware of one of the products that Global technical Limited are advertising and that it was trialled in November 1999, the outcome of which was broadly positive in favour of the product.


However, that you for bringing the matter to our attention and we will continue to monitor the situation.


Your sincerely,


Andrew Parrish


Now, since we know that the GT200/5000 was not existence back in 1999 he must be referring to the MOLE, and to hear that it trialled broadly positive suggests that the trials were flawed or that they were given an 'impressive' demo by Global technical, which would of course have been set up.


I will be writing to him asking some pointed questions to this effect.


However, given this interesting development Techo and I would like to try to get the media on to this. If anyone has any media connections, however tenuous please let us know. We can supply a lot of background information.


Thank you,
Dubious Dick

[Dubious Dick]

UPDATE. We have had a response from the Belgian Embassy in London who are looking into DELPAC, agents for ATSC and the ADE. So, some progress there.

We also have some serious media interest. Watch this space.

Anyone who has checked out Lumpys excellent blog at:

http://sniffexquestions.blogspot.com...-criminal.html (http://sniffexquestions.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-will-sniffex-survive-criminal.html)

will have noted that there is another one of these damn frauds out there called the ALPHA 6. So far this is traced to a company called ComsTrac in the U.K. but details are very sketchy.

They have a website at:

http://www.comstrac.com/

and contact details as: Communication Tracking Systems ComsTrac Limited P.O.Box 33309 London NW11 6GZ Tel: +44-208-2018898 Fax: +44-845-2802659

Anyone is welcome to try to help out in checking this lot out, particularly if you have access to Companies House records to check out who is behind ComsTrac

Happy detecting!! HO HO.

[Trinoc]

will have noted that there is another one of these damn frauds out there called the ALPHA 6. So far this is traced to a company called ComsTrac in the U.K. but details are very sketchy.

They have a website at:

http://www.comstrac.com/

and contact details as: Communication Tracking Systems ComsTrac Limited P.O.Box 33309 London NW11 6GZ Tel: +44-208-2018898 Fax: +44-845-2802659

Anyone is welcome to try to help out in checking this lot out, particularly if you have access to Companies House records to check out who is behind ComsTrac
That's in the same postal area where I once lived. The post code appears to be the Golders Green sorting office. I thought it was now illegal to run a trading web site without giving a full registered company address.

I get the impression from a quick scan of Google results that the target customer base is typically gullible African governments.

Aha! An address here (http://www.applegate.co.uk/maps/15/47/873.htm) (which is plausible for the PO box address above). The address, 5 Lyttleton Rd N2 0DW, is the middle of a short shopping parade almost opposite where I used to live. A very old Kelly's Directory (1983) has the address as shared by a company of architects and an architecture and craft shop. I'll see if I can check it out next time I'm down that way.

A search on "5 Lyttelton Rd" seems to indicate an estate agent (which figures ... half the shops in that part of London seem to be estate agents).

[Dubious Dick]

Hi Trinoc, Thanks for having a look.


That's in the same postal area where I once lived. The post code appears to be the Golders Green sorting office. I thought it was now illegal to run a trading web site without giving a full registered company address.

Not sure about the issue of a trading website needing a registered address?

I get the impression from a quick scan of Google results that the target customer base is typically gullible African governments.

I think you mean gullible or corruptible! These and ATSC (ADE651) and Global Technical (GT200) all seem to target Middle and Far East, Africa and South america. Strange that!!

Aha! An address here (http://www.applegate.co.uk/maps/15/47/873.htm) (which is plausible for the PO box address above). The address, 5 Lyttleton Rd N2 0DW, is the middle of a short shopping parade almost opposite where I used to live. A very old Kelly's Directory (1983) has the address as shared by a company of architects and an architecture and craft shop. I'll see if I can check it out next time I'm down that way.

A search on "5 Lyttelton Rd" seems to indicate an estate agent (which figures ... half the shops in that part of London seem to be estate agents).

Be good if you can check out the address at some stage. I know that part of London vaguely. When I checked out the NW11 postcode on a mapping system it showed as in the middle of Big Wood!!

The M.D. is one Simon Sherrard. I can find nothing except references to a Director of Bibby Line and the Port of London Authority. Assuming not the same man, but....

[Trinoc]

Be good if you can check out the address at some stage. I know that part of London vaguely. When I checked out the NW11 postcode on a mapping system it showed as in the middle of Big Wood!!
I got that misdirection as well, but the location on the Applegate map page is correct. It's on the north side of the A1 just east of the junction with Ossulton Way.

PS. See the thread I just started in the "off topic" section about the phone number web site I discovered while investigating this.

[Trinoc]

I checked out the address on the way to meeting folks for Xmas lunch. There really is a shop front called ComsTrac at 5 Lyttelton Rd. The windows are frosted opaque and there is no indication of the nature of the business other than the web site address and phone numbers. The shop door has a security lock so I don't expect you could just walk in and try to buy something. There was a note stuck to the door saying to call the phone number if closed.

Since this is a retail parade, and it doesn't look like a place where any retail trading is going on, I wonder whether the council would be interested in reviewing the planning permission.

[techowiz]

The following may be of use:-
SIMON SHERRARD
8 HILL RISE
LONDON
NW116NA



Director Report



Age: 45
Additional information
Director Information for SIMON SHERRARD
Gender:
Male
Age:
45
Nationality:
British
Occupation(s):
Director

Companies Information For SIMON SHERRARD

Comstrac Ltd (http://www.192.com/search/search.cfm?action=5104124D45505D405E0C1F5113024042 04001C51565D41444516)

Managing Director 5 LYTTELTON ROAD EAST FINCHLEY LONDON N2 0DW
B.S.J. Agencies Ltd. (http://www.192.com/search/search.cfm?action=5104124D45505D405E0C1F5113024042 04001755595A4F424617)

Director 67-69 GEORGE STREET WEST END LONDON W1U 8LT contd.....

[techowiz]

Comstrac Ltd


5
LYTTELTON ROAD
EAST FINCHLEY
LONDON
N2 0DW



Business Directory


02082018898


0845 280 2659 fax




Classification Information

Line of BusinessManufacturers and wholesalers of electronic surveillance and security systemsSIC (Standard Industry Classification)3999
5099
5099 UK 1992 SIC36.610UK 1992 SIC 251.900Company Registration Number4308653

Number of Employees12
.boxDetails table.business_company_directors span.tease { display:inline; font-size:100%; color:#ddd; margin:0px !important;}.boxDetails div.business_payment_link { margin:2px 5px 3px 5px !important;}Back to Top (http://www.192.com/search/details.cfm?action=0412145A58565C13001D4B1302195D0 C0B001C5A5F5B44454F08425C515A0A00034A1405085558464 F10001805141213524B145D170E1F032518590C081442112C0 512141C13001F424F1A09020542145C545D5B5A011A1E1E191 25D42505C480C1D0016#) Financial Information

Issued Capital£ 2 Net Worth£ 23,452 Year Started2001 Annual Return Date22 October
.boxDetails div.business_company_directors span.tease { display:inline; font-size:100%; color:#ddd; margin:0px !important;}.boxDetails div.business_company_directors span.title_list { display:inline; font-size:100%; color:#9e9e9e; margin:0px !important;}.boxDetails div.business_company_directors div.heading_item { margin:5px 5px 5px 5px !important;}.boxDetails div.business_company_directors div.row_item { margin:0px 5px 5px 5px !important;}.boxDetails div.business_payment_link { margin:2px 5px 3px 5px !important;}Back to Top (http://www.192.com/search/details.cfm?action=0412145A58565C13001D4B1302195D0 C0B001C5A5F5B44454F08425C515A0A00034A1405085558464 F10001805141213524B145D170E1F032518590C081442112C0 512141C13001F424F1A09020542145C545D5B5A011A1E1E191 25D42505C480C1D0016#) Directors Information

Active Current Directors
MR SIMON SHERRARD (http://www.192.com/search/search.cfm?action=0412145A58565C13071D4B0712055D5E 576D4707525C434F4F190008) Director / Managing Director
8 HILL RISE GOLDERS GREEN BARNET LONDON NW116NA
MS JULIA MICHELE SHERRARD (http://www.192.com/search/search.cfm?action=0412145A58565C13071D4B0712055D5E 576D4707525F40434616050F02) Company Secretary
8 HILL RISE GOLDERS GREEN BARNET LONDON NW116NA


.boxDetails div.business_key_executives span.tease { display:inline; font-size:100%; color:#ddd; margin:0px !important;}.boxDetails div.business_key_executives span.executive_function { display:inline; font-size:100%; color:#9e9e9e; margin:0px !important;}.boxDetails div.business_key_executives div.row_item { margin:0px 5px 5px 5px !important;}.boxDetails div.business_payment_link { margin:2px 5px 3px 5px !important;}Back to Top (http://www.192.com/search/details.cfm?action=0412145A58565C13001D4B1302195D0 C0B001C5A5F5B44454F08425C515A0A00034A1405085558464 F10001805141213524B145D170E1F032518590C081442112C0 512141C13001F424F1A09020542145C545D5B5A011A1E1E191 25D42505C480C1D0016#) Key Executives


(Company Secretary)
(Other Executives)
MS. JULIA SHERRARD (Company Secretary)
MR. SIMON SHERRARD (Managing Director)

[techowiz]

And even more................

B.S.J. Agencies Ltd.


67-69
GEORGE STREET
WEST END
LONDON
W1U 8LT
Information

Line of BusinessClothing wholesalers.SIC (Standard Industry Classification)5136
5137
5137 UK 1992 SIC51.429UK 1992 SIC 251.429Company Registration Number1994023
Additional Information

Number of Employees10
.boxDetails table.business_company_directors span.tease { display:inline; font-size:100%; color:#ddd; margin:0px !important;}.boxDetails div.business_payment_link { margin:2px 5px 3px 5px !important;}Financial Information

Issued Capital£ 100 Year Started1986 Annual Return Date02 March
.boxDetails div.business_company_directors span.tease { display:inline; font-size:100%; color:#ddd; margin:0px !important;}.boxDetails div.business_company_directors span.title_list { display:inline; font-size:100%; color:#9e9e9e; margin:0px !important;}.boxDetails div.business_company_directors div.heading_item { margin:5px 5px 5px 5px !important;}.boxDetails div.business_company_directors div.row_item { margin:0px 5px 5px 5px !important;}.boxDetails div.business_payment_link { margin:2px 5px 3px 5px !important;}Directors Information

Active Current Directors
MR SIMON SHERRARD (http://www.192.com/search/search.cfm?action=0412145A58565C13071D4B0712055D5E 576D4707525C434F4F190008) Director / Director
8 HILL RISE GOLDERS GREEN BARNET LONDON NW116NA
MR BARRY SHERRARD (http://www.192.com/search/search.cfm?action=0412145A58565C13071D4B0712055D5E 576D4707525C434F4F19000B) Director / Director
17 GURNEY DRIVE EAST FINCHLEY BARNET LONDON N2 0DF
MS JEAN SHERRARD (http://www.192.com/search/search.cfm?action=0412145A58565C13071D4B0712055D5E 576D4707525C434F4F19000A) Director / Director / Company Secretary
17 GURNEY DRIVE EAST FINCHLEY BARNET LONDON N2 0DF


.boxDetails div.business_key_executives span.tease { display:inline; font-size:100%; color:#ddd; margin:0px !important;}.boxDetails div.business_key_executives span.executive_function { display:inline; font-size:100%; color:#9e9e9e; margin:0px !important;}.boxDetails div.business_key_executives div.row_item { margin:0px 5px 5px 5px !important;}.boxDetails div.business_payment_link { margin:2px 5px 3px 5px !important;}Back to Top (http://www.192.com/search/details.cfm?action=0412145A58565C13001D4B1302195D0 C0B0B1855585542464E08425C515A0A00034A1405085558464 F10001805141213524B145D170E1F032518590C081442112C0 512141C13001F424F1A09020542145C545D5B5A011A1E1E191 25D42505C480C1D0016#) Key Executives


MR. SIMON SHERRARD (Director)
MR. BARRY SHERRARD (Director)
MS. JEAN SHERRARD (Director)

[techowiz]

From the above the following deduction can be made:-

Mail to the PO Box at NW11 6GZ
will be forwarded to:-

SIMON SHERRARD
8 HILL RISE
LONDON
NW11 6NA

Note how similar the postcodes are,

NW11 6GZ
NW11 6NA

this means that mail sent to the PO Box number will be sent to, SHERRARD at his home address.

[techowiz]

The smoke and mirrors never end:-

BERGSON ESTATES LTD
67-69
GEORGE STREET
LONDON
W1U 8LT

Director Information

Companies Information For ...

Sycamore Court (Fordingbridge) Management Ltd (http://www.192.com/search/search.cfm?action=5104124D45505D405E0C1F5113024042 04001D5B56594E414F1A)

Corporate Director 67-69 GEORGE STREET WEST END LONDON W1U 8LT
Ashley Court (Bournemouth) Management Ltd (http://www.192.com/search/search.cfm?action=5104124D45505D405E0C1F5113024042 04001D5A5D5546404317)

Corporate Director 67-69 GEORGE STREET WEST END LONDON W1U 8LT
Kingswood Drive Flat Management Company Ltd (http://www.192.com/search/search.cfm?action=5104124D45505D405E0C1F5113024042 04011A5B5B5842444416)

Corporate Director Company Secretary 67-69 GEORGE STREET WEST END LONDON W1U 8LT
Inverey Management Ltd (http://www.192.com/search/search.cfm?action=5104124D45505D405E0C1F5113024042 04071E56575E414E441C)

Corporate Director FLAT 34 PARK MANSIONS VIVIAN AVENUE HENDON LONDON NW4 3UU

Seems that the address, 67 -69 George Street is a very popular address..........

[Trinoc]

Note how similar the postcodes are,

NW11 6GZ
NW11 6NA
This is hardly surprising. The PO box postcode is the Golders Green sorting office, and the other is a typical postcode for that part of Hampstead Garden Suburb. When I lived near there my postcode also started with "NW11 6".

[Trinoc]

Seems that the address, 67 -69 George Street is a very popular address..........
This is also hardly surprising. Small companies very often have their registered addresses at the office of the accountant or of a professional company secretary. This does not imply any other connection between these companies, so it is highly premature to start postulating any sort of cartel in operation here.

I get the impression the MD has a couple of minimal capital companies set up with a friend/partner. The £2 paid up share capital suggests the minimum two directors with the minimum shareholding of £1 each. There is nothing intrinsically dodgy about this - many small businesses start out this way (any a lot of them never get any further) - though it is true that anyone wanting to start up a throw-away company to push a product with high risk of failure would probably also set it up in this way.

£20,000-odd total assets seems very much on the low side for a company manufacturing and marketing the range of products they claim, but again, that does not of itself imply any sort of dodgy dealing.

I see no evidence that there is any business impropriety going on here, and I think we should target our criticism instead on the technical plausibility of what appears to be a dowsing rod for detecting drugs and explosives.

[Dubious Dick]

Trinoc, you are quite right. We are only interested in Alpha 6 and Coms Trac/Simon Sherrard. This is now added to the other targets i.e. ATSC (ADE 651) and Global Technical (GT200)

We are not sure about how or when the Alpha 6 came into existence. Perhaps Mr. Sherrard simply saw the others and thought I'll have a go at that scam as well, or maybe he has connections with ATSC or Global Technical?

Anyway, we are formulating a plan to get wider exposure of these scams and try to get the scum who sell this rubbish out of business. Any assistance with this gratefully received. We will keep strategy/tactics to PMs

Cheers,
DD

[Trinoc]

We will keep strategy/tactics to PMs
You could always start a thread on the Seekrit board.

[techowiz]

I see no evidence that there is any business impropriety going on here, and I think we should target our criticism instead on the technical plausibility of what appears to be a dowsing rod for detecting drugs and explosives.

I never said there was any impropriety and it is a not an angle of attack that I am interested in.
If you care to look at comments I have made on other forums and not least the Blog I created at:-
explosivedetectorfrauds
You would see that I am clearly targeting the fraud that is the dowsing rod for detecting explosives and drugs.
regards

[Trinoc]

I never said there was any impropriety and it is a not an angle of attack that I am interested in.
If you care to look at comments I have made on other forums and not least the Blog I created at:-
explosivedetectorfrauds
You would see that I am clearly targeting the fraud that is the dowsing rod for detecting explosives and drugs.
That's OK. It's just that from your posts in here you seemed to be inviting us to deduce something from the similarity of postcodes (implying only that the PO box is at the local sorting office) and the various companies with the same address (several clients of the same accountant or whatever), which was not justified by the evidence presented.

[techowiz]

That's OK.

I am most humbled by your gracious acceptance of my efforts. Please continue to moderate my posts and pass comment as you see fit.

[Trinoc]

I am most humbled by your gracious acceptance of my efforts. Please continue to moderate my posts and pass comment as you see fit.
What the hell is this all about ... ?

If you don't want anyone to comment on your posts as part of the debate perhaps you should add a disclaimer to that effect at the end of the post.

[Dubious Dick]

PUSH FOR ACTION

We have certainly managed to put the wind up Jim McCormick at ATSC, Gary Bolton at Global Technical and our new 'friend' Simon at Coms Trac. We now need to make a big push against these fraudsters to see some real action.

If you have a website or blog then please link to the following blogs to help their Google rankings:

http://sniffexquestions.blogspot.com

http://explosivedetectorfrauds.blogspot.com

http://ade651gt200scamfraud.blogspot.com

Many thanks for any help you can give.

We are getting some media interest and will be pursuing this vigorously.

And if Jim, Gary and Simon are reading this, A VERY UNHAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU!

[Dubious Dick]

Looking through Lumpys fine blog at:

http://sniffexquestions.blogspot.com

I noticed that despite the collapse of SNIFFEX in the U.S. a German company is still peddling it in Europe. I wrote to them via the email on their site. Admittedly i used a few choice words to describe what they do. Anyway, here is the reply. A positive offer to take the MDC?

Dear Peter,

Thank you for your email but you are terribly wrong because not SNIFFEX is a fraud but the people, who were running the SNIFFEX Inc. company have misused the device for stock manipulation (this is my personal opinion) and thus have created a terrible reputation for a really powerful device that is being blamed ever since then.

We took over distribution from the inventor and manufacturer TASC Ltd. 2006 for the European Market and since 1.1.2009 we are the worldwide exclusive distributor.

Since then we have sold a lot of devices to governmental organizations, security companies around the globe, who all thought that SNIFFEX is a fraud but who changed their opinion after we succeeded in personal demonstrations and tests. Since 2006 we have completed more than 100 tests to official organizations and we have since then not had one single test that failed but all showed great results with detection rates of +75% for common explosives from distances from 2-100 meters (show me any other device that can do this!).

If you look at the videos in you tube showing Paul Johnson or other SNIFFEX Inc. personnel you understand that they have no clue what they are doing – and that is a shame indeed and I blame them for this! They have really made our life very difficult and we had to work very hard to correct this image!

In addition the device has been refined since then significantly. Today we are selling SNIFFEX®Plus, which is the latest generation that works much better than devices from the first generation.

I have attached the current brochure for your information.

I don’t know, who Jim McCormick is but I am happy to talk to him and to try to support him best possible. I also don’t know what personal damage you have experienced, I am sorry for this but we are not to blame!

SNIFFEX®Plus is no fraud and we can prove it – we have numerous recommendations and test report from official organizations that are using the device and are very happy about the device.

We are willing to participate in any type of test to proof the capabilities of the device – no problem but I cannot accept, to be insulted or threatened from you. So let’s keep it on a professional level, please!

My coordinates are as below, I am available for any kind of professional conversation at any time.

Best regards from Germany

David Vollmar


David Vollmar
Managing Director

unival group of companies
German Procurement Services GmbH
Am Hofgarten 4
53113 Bonn
Germany

GSM: +49 151 12110637
Fon.: +49 228 688 36 58
Fax: +49 228 688 36 59
david.vollmar@unival-group.com (http://david%2Evollmar@unival-group.com/)
Skype ID: dv_at_skype

HRB: 14264
District Court Bonn
VAT ID: DE232565058
Managing Director: David Vollmar

www.unival-group.com (http://www.unival-group.com/) / www.gps-security.net (http://www.gps-security.net/) / www.sniffex-eu.com (http://www.sniffex-eu.com/)


Perhaps someone else who can keep their annoyance at these fraudsters better concealed than I, would like to take up the dialogue with this guy to see whether they really can be drawn into a proper test?

Of course, one doubts this will get far, but maybe worth a try.

[Dubious Dick]

What the heck. Have had a go at getting them to take the MDC and here is the latest series of emails between me and Vollmar for your delectation:

ME TO VOLLMAR


You said you would take any test. As usual the excuses start right away. The JREF testing would simply be double blind and agreed in advance as to the protocol. It is totally an objective approach. Just no cheating allowed. Of course you would avoid it because you know you are a fraud! If not take the challenge!!

And of course, Governments are often fooled into buying rubbish.

Where are the protocols and test results for your so called double blind testing?


VOLLMAR TO ME


No excuses necessary..

Let’s set it up in Germany, your choice of location, we are ready! We define the layout for testing because we will do strict far-field detection between 2-50 meters, as per our technical description. Will make sure that professional personnel is available and K9 as well. Our partner in Germany is WISAG (see attached reference letter).They are a using the device since 2005!

Mr. Randi is cordially invited!

BR


ME TO VOLLMAR


Mr. Vollmar,

I think you have misunderstood. You do not define the layout for testing. The protocol would need to be agreed by both JREF and yourselves. The protocol would be double blind.

I will make contact with the JREF to indicate that you are willing to submit the SNIFFEX Plus for testing, and then you will be able to enter into direct negotiations with them over the protocol, location etc.

Thank you


VOLLMAR TO ME


We are definitely willing to discuss with JREF and create a proper form of communication unlike the communication between JR and SNIFFEX Inc. previously.

Will take things from there and if we can find a “fair” basis to conduct tests, we are open! But it must be very clear that SNIFFEX®Plus is not a paranormal device but is based on a scientific assumption of measurement of magnetic interferences.

So let’s work something out.


ME TO VOLLMAR


Dear Mr. Vollmar,

I am not sure what you mean by saying that the communication between SNIFFEX Inc and JREF was not "proper".

Previously you said you did not know about the JREF. Where did you see that communication? Usually claimants get very upset when they cannot control the testing because of course it means that the testing cannot be cheated. I will be interested to take a look at the communication you mention.

In the meantime I am forwarding your details to JREF and look forward to testing of Sniffex Plus. I do not think the issue of paranormal is a problem. The challenge has been made to ADE 651, Quadro Tracker and Sniffex Inc in the past on the basis that the science is simply not credible.




VOLLMAR TO ME

I learned from the communication on Mr. Randi’s webpage when I was reading about the Million Dollar contest.

Will wait for next steps fro, JREF or yourself.

BR

DV


ME TO VOLLMAR


Dear Mr. Vollmar,

The best way to progress with the JREF Challenge is to formally register your willingness to participate via this email address:

challenge@randi.org

Please be patient. The staff at JREF are very busy.

I look forward to watching your progress with interest.


ME TO VOLLMAR


Mr. Vollmar,

I cannot find the SNIFFEX U.S. communications on the JREF website. Please can you provide me a page link to what you saw there?

Thank you.

[NorthernSoul]

Stick with this DD, try not to get led away on tangents though, keep focused on getting them in contact with the JREF.

[techowiz]

Oh No another bloody fraud being marketed and sold from the UK:-
Check out the website does this look familiar??????

Intelligence Counter Security & Surveillance

U.K.Ltd., 39 Brick Lane, London E1 6PU,Tel: 08712641758,Fax:448712648847
www.icssuk.com (http://www.icssuk.com/),
E-mail: sales@icssuk.com (sales@icssuk.com)

PSD-22 Programmable Substance Detector
Early warning indicator and direction finder for explosive and contraband detection function in cold/dry/humid condition.

The System does not require the user to be any less than 200m-300m away from the required substance will direct the operative either to the container or the room where the contraband may.
Once a specific area has been targeted and detected the group of substance by multi-programmable Card and easily pinpointing system to allow safe removal.

[techowiz]

What the hell is this all about ... ?
If you don't want anyone to comment on your posts as part of the debate perhaps you should add a disclaimer to that effect at the end of the post.

In all the excitement I missed your response. I have now applied the anti-arsehole filter to my threads, so if you have trouble posting you will know what the problem is...........

[seren]

Ummm...are any of these addresses residential addresses?
Because I would be a bit concerned that you are openly publishing people's home addresses.

Yes, I know information is available from Companies House, but that doesn't necessarily mean you should make it available to any old nutter who wanders in off the interwebz.

I don't know if it's legal or not, in fact. Potentally actionable, I should have thought, but I don't know.

(Please don't use his line of business as a defence)

[Dubious Dick]

Seren,

1. You have largely answered your own question i.e. these addresses are already publicly available.

2. Why shouldn't we use their line of business as a reason? These people are truly despicable.

3. Given 1. there can be no question of the use of these addresses being actionable. In the public domain is in the public domain.

These people have been openly challenged to sue us. They have singularly failed to do so for blindingly obvious reasons, just as they have failed to take the MDC for the same reasons.

Suspect you might feel a bit different if one of your relatives was blown to bits because they had relied on one of these devices.

[Matt]

Apparently it's not residential - it's a Bureux de Change

http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/regions/shadwell/brick-lane.php

[seren]

Matt: Which address?! There are tons on here! (Bureau de Change just makes me think of The Day Today, every time)

Well, I don't want to derail the thread so fair enough, Dick.
I will restrict myself to pointing out that they may not be the only people living (or working) at those addresses, and we are not the only people reading these forums.

[Dubious Dick]

Seren, I do see what you are saying about potentially involving totally un-connected businesses and people. In future I will try to avoid reproducing addresses on public fora that are not specific to the companies and individuals concerned.

[seren]

Hey, great stuff! Thanks.
I'm still sure on the legality of it but I will assume you know better than I.

Now go get the prat shut down! ;D

[Dubious Dick]

Make that PRATS!

So far we have:

In the U.K.:

ATSC with the ADE651
Global Technical with the GT200
ComsTrac with the Alpha 6
ISCC with the PSD 22

In Germany:

Sniffex Europe with the Sniffex Plus

Anyone interested we have a new-ish recruit on JREF called Longtabber who is a whizz on debunking the technical claims in detail.

As to the legalities, we have not incited anyone to take any illegal actions and as I say, if it is already in the pd there really is nothing much of a legal issue.

[techowiz]

With reference to my post at Number59,

After a period of reflection I wish to apologise to Trinoc and anyone else who may have been offended by my unacceptable posting.
I can only say in my defence it came after a very bad personal day.
regards

[Trinoc]

With reference to my post at Number59,

After a period of reflection I wish to apologise to Trinoc and anyone else who may have been offended by my unacceptable posting.
I can only say in my defence it came after a very bad personal day.
regards
Accepted - assuming you can see my posts again! :smiley:

[Dubious Dick]

Just wanted to let everyone interested in this saga know that we have generated some substantial political interest. I can't be specific because do not want to give the scuzzers who sell these things any tip offs, but do feel we are now making some real headway in in our campaign against these fraudsters.

To Jim of ATSC, Gary of Global Technical, Simon of ComsTrac, and the lovely people behind ISCC:

Have a happy day worrying!!

[Song]

Hello D. D～

I am looking for your help.

I work for Yang Cheng Evening News, a news paper in Guangzhou, China. I am investigating GT200 which is now widely used in China. I have been suspicious with it since last year before Olympics, when lots of cities adopted GT200 for security purpose.

I got a report from Sandia laboratory in US, but I don't think it's enough to support my point. You have more evidence at hand? please contact zengsong22@hotmail.com

[Dubious Dick]

Hi Song,

I will get a more detailed response together for you from the various people involved in our campaign.

I can assure you that there is no technical reason why the GT200 would work.

One suggestion for you is to try to arrange for a double blind test maybe carried out under the a reputable physics department at a University. There are existing protocols for testing claims of dowsing which would be appropriate for you to propose as the basis for such tests.

In the meantime please take a look at the following information:


DOWSING RODS ENDANGER LIVES

U.K. Companies selling life threatening fake explosives and narcotics detectors


In October 2008, James Randi of the JREF, issued a challenge to a company called ATSC, offering them US $1,000,000 if they could prove, under controlled conditions, that their ADE 651 equipment worked as advertised. http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/swift-blog/231-a-direct-specific-challenge-from-james-randi-and-the-jref.html (http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/swift-blog/231-a-direct-specific-challenge-from-james-randi-and-the-jref.html)


ATSC refused to take the challenge. They have given no good reason, despite the considerable sum of money, and the immense publicity/sales they would derive from winning the prize by taking a simple double blind test.


Randi had previously challenged the makers of Quadro Tracker and SNIFFEX in the U.S. to test their products, and they also refused. The main people behind those companies have been prosecuted and heavily fined in the U.S. Both claimed similar, apparently miraculous capabilities. But, like all these products, were no more than fancy dowsing rods, dressed up in fancy technobabble. Dowsing in whatever form has long failed to provide any evidence for efficacy in proper testing.


Since the challenge to the ADE 651, a small group has been investigating and challenging ATSC, and other companies who market similar products in the U.K.

This paper is a condensed version of the available evidence regarding the use of dowsing rods as explosives detectors.

Three companies in the UK have been identified selling these devices:
ATSC Ltd
Global Technical Limited
Coms Trac Ltd
For details see Appendix

HISTORY
It seems these devices first came onto the market in the early 1990's. Possibly the first was the Quadro Tracker QRS250G sold by the Quadro Corp of South Carolina, USA as a detector of just about anything. The Quadro Tracker was a hand held device with a telescoping antenna that would freely swivel, and supposedly point to the target material. It was exposed by James Randi more than a decade ago in 1995/1996, before the Department of Justice prosecuted the founders of the company.
http://skepdic.com/quadro.html (http://skepdic.com/quadro.html)
http://www.reason.com/news/show/30037.html (http://www.reason.com/news/show/30037.html)
http://www.ih2000.net/ira/quad0422.htm (http://www.ih2000.net/ira/quad0422.htm)

The next to emerge was the DKL Lifeguard. Allegedly designed to find people in a search and rescue operation or even as claimed in a manhunt.

The first UK version was the MOLE detection system, marketed by Gary Bolton of Global Technical Limited. This device was put up for testing at the Sandia National Laboratories in January 2002. It was tested by Dale Murray who was in charge of Entry Control and Contraband Detection Department at the Laboratory. For the full transcript of the test see here:
http://www.justnet.org/Lists/JUSTNET%20Resources/Attachments/440/moleeval_apr02.pdf (http://www.justnet.org/Lists/JUSTNET%20Resources/Attachments/440/moleeval_apr02.pdf)

The MOLE was shown to operate no better than chance. The operator of the MOLE at this test was Robert Balais, working in partnership with Jim McCormick. As a result of the poor performance of the MOLE in this test, Gary Bolton stopped Jim McCormick and Robert Balais having anything more to do with sales of the MOLE.

McCormick and Balais then formed ATSC, originally registered in the USA. Soon after they launched the ADE 650 onto the market. ATSC are now a direct competitor to Global Technical and there is considerable bad feeling between the two companies.

In an effort to distance himself from the poor performance of the MOLE, Bolton made minor changes to the product and re-named it the, GT200. The Global Technical website claims to have, ‘government support’ for his equipment. At this time it is not known if this is for the GT200, or other products he sells. We believe that these claims of Government support, and the use of a REME base for unofficial demonstrations of these products, is fraudulent.


We have also discovered another UK device, the Alpha 6 sold and marketed by Comstrac.


This has been a very lucrative market for the companies involved, with prices between 10,000 Euros and 25,000 Euros per device, whilst costing as little as 250 Euros each to produce. With lucrative training courses added in, the potential for a quick and considerable profit is easy to see.
It is estimated that ADE 651 sales in Iraq top USD$2 Million. ADE have also apparently sold to a number of countries including Niger, China, Hong Kong, Mexico, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia


The main markets appear to be Far East, Middle East, Africa, Asia, South America and Eastern Europe. We believe that sales rely on corruption of local officials in the target markets.


We are not aware of a sale of any significance to any Western European, U.S. Canadian, Australian or New Zealand Government, Armed Forces or Security Services.

Devices and Claims for Operation


There have been various claims and so called technical explanations for these products by the different companies, despite all the products apparently working on the same old dowsing principle of a free swinging rod.

ADE 651

On the ATSC website they claim the working principle for their equipment is:

‘ATSC's proprietary application of electrostatic ion attraction, (also referred to as Electrostatic Attraction (ESA)'.


Specifically Jim McCormick has stated it does not work by smell.

This is contradicted by their authorised distributor in Lebanon, Prosec, (www.prosec.com (http://www.prosec.com/)), who state the working principle is:

'The working principal(sic) is based on electrochemical (Thermo-Redox) detection'.

It would appear that even those that sell and manufacture these frauds do not know what principle they are supposed to work under. In fact, despite extensive enquiries and study, we can find no supporting evidence for the technical claims of these products whatsoever.

As seen on the ATSC website, the equipment is always a free floating antenna, connected to a handle, which in turn is connected by a cable to what is called the card reader. Inside the card reader you place the ‘substance cards’. They claim these can be programmed for explosives, drugs, ivory and even truffles!!!! This equipment needs no external power such as batteries or mains electricity. It claims it's power from the static electricity produced by the human body. Ranges for detection are given as 600 metres to 5 KM!

GT200
On the Global Technical website they make no claim for the working principle behind their device. However check the photographs and once again we see the old free swinging antenna, needing no power, and yes you have guessed it, running on the static electricity created by the human body. No detection range given.


Alpha6
Comstrac claim on their website that the working principle for their equipment is:
‘Molecular resonance using molecular recognition of programmed contabrands (sic)’
It may be no surprise to see that once again the free swinging antenna is in use and powered by static electricity. Ranges for this device are given as, NO LESS than 200-300metres and can be programmed with the usual full list of explosives and drugs.

Conclusion

The working principles claimed for these devices are not credible.


The really worrying element about all of this is that these devices are sold to Military Units and Police Forces, usually in third world countries where purchase control is very weak. The devices are sold as explosives and drug detectors when the reality is that they are not capable of detecting anything. Somebody is going to be seriously hurt or killed using or relying on these devices to detect explosives, if they haven’t already.


The fact that they are being marketed and distributed by U.K. Companies is disturbing.

For a comprehensive start to finish tale of these devices please check out the excellent blog at:
http://sniffexquestions.blogspot.com/ (http://sniffexquestions.blogspot.com/)
Other blogs highlighting the danger of these devices are at:
http://explosivedetectorfrauds.blogspot.com/ (http://explosivedetectorfrauds.blogspot.com/)
http://ade651gt200scamfraud.blogspot.com/ (http://ade651gt200scamfraud.blogspot.com/)


COMPANY DETAILS:


Selling – ADE651
ATSC (UK)
DAIRY HOUSE YARD
SPARKFORD
YEOVIL
SOMERSET
BA22 7LH
Tel. +44 208 144 9925
www.atscltd.com
Director
James William McCormick
Home address
Park Farm,
Curry Rivel,
Somerset
TA10 0AE

Selling – GT200
Global Technical Limited
Unit 7,
The Glenmore Centre,
Moat Way,
Sevington,
Ashford
Kent
TN24 0TL
Tel: 01233 501721
Fax: 08701 694017
Mob: 07766 527769
www.globaltechnical.co.uk
Director
Gary Bolton
Home Address
COPPERFIELDS
DAVID STREET
MEOPHAM
GRAVESEND
KENT
DA130BT


Selling – Alpha6
Comstrac Ltd
5, LYTTELTON ROAD
EAST FINCHLEY
LONDON
N2 0DW
Tel: 02082018898
Fax: 0845 280 2659
www.comstrac.com
Director
Simon Sherrard
Home address
8, Hill Rise,
London
NW11 6NA

[techowiz]

I got a report from Sandia laboratory in US, but I don't think it's enough to support my point.

What further evidence were you looking for? The Sandia report is quite comprehensive.......

[mufc]

Hello,

Would someone please contact me. I may be able to provide further information concerning these companies - but I need to know that this is a proper investigation and not just people with too much time on their hands.

Sorry for the strong words, but I really would like to know how serious this matter is and know that I trust people to keep some of the details I have private.

Thank you

[Dubious Dick]

Hi mufc. This is a serious effort to expose the companies involved and to have action taken.

I think it goes the other way around in that we would need reassurance that you are not working for one of the companies and looking to disrupt our campaign.

You are welcome to PM Techowiz or myself and let us know a bit more about yourself and what you might have to offer. We have serious, senior level political interest, and media interest in this and if you can assist in the efforts we are making then we would be very interested.

[techowiz]

As DD has stated, we are a active group dedicated to bringing these scammers down. For more information check out our bloggs or a similar posting on the JREF forum.
Too much time on our hands, not enough hours in the day for me.
PM DD or myself with whatever information you have and you can be assured of our discretion.
We will, of course, need to be certain of your credentials before we share any confidential information. Having said that we appreciate all forms of support and welcome to the forum.
regards

[Dubious Dick]

Hi,

Have had to take a backseat on this for a while due to personal matters. However, thought anyone interested might like to know that we have received confirmation from the Defence Select Committee that the MOD are requiring Global Technical of GT 200 infamy to remove all references to UK Government/MOD support for the GT200 from their marketing materials.
http://sniffexquestions.blogspot.com/
Apparently the MOD never conducted testing on the equipment as GT at least very strongly hint. Of course, no Western Armed Forces/Police appear to have bought this c**p. Wonder why.

Well. a small victory in our campaign against these scam/con artists. Any assistance in keeping up the pressure on GT, ATSC etc more than welcome.

Cheers for now,

DD

P.S. Keep an eye out on Lumpys excellent blog at

http://sniffexquestions.blogspot.com/

Oh, greetings to Gary, Jim et al. You bunch of f**kwits!!

[Dubious Dick]

Some of you (well, ok, very few if any of you) may have been missing my provocative presence. Just to let you all know that time has been spent beavering away on the fake explosives detectors scams. We are making steady progress in our campaign against these purveyors of poop and will continue to keep up the pressure.

[techowiz]

Some of you (well, ok, very few if any of you) may have been missing my provocative presence. Just to let you all know that time has been spent beavering away on the fake explosives detectors scams. We are making steady progress in our campaign against these purveyors of poop and will continue to keep up the pressure.
There are lots of people, and I'm not just talking about fraudsters Inc. who have missed your words of wisdom.
DD for King8)
regards

[ADE651]

Dear All,
I am currently a very satisfied customer of the ADE 651. I happened to come across your angry tirade against the technology, but let me assure you these products work. I also checked out Mr Randis site which to me initially seemed very professional and reliable source of information, then i read about Mr Randi himself and realised he was a MAGICIAN AND ESCAPE ARTIST HAHAHAH!! I more than anyone appreciate the right to freedom of speech but this is all a bit much. If the ADE 651 didn't reallly work do you honestly believe customers would buy it. Beforing buying any ADE unit you are provided with a full demonstration and the customer himself is allowed to use the device. This is all besides the point seeing as I cannot seem to understand what you all gain from this? ATSC are selling products to customers such as myself who are happy with the product. We have used the product and seen that it works, why do you insist on the fact that it doesn't? Is it because you can't explain it? Well a lot of things in this world can't be explained. As a satisfied repeat customer of the ADE 651 i felt it was my duty to defend the product and the people who sell it. Show me one dissatisfied customer, thats all i ask of you. I suggest that you get a life and put all your time and effort into contributing to society in some form.

[Croydon Bob]

then i read about Mr Randi himself and realised he was a MAGICIAN AND ESCAPE ARTIST HAHAHAH!!

I'm a Civil Servant BWAHAHAHA!!! And I can tell that the ADE 651 doesn't work. What does Mr Randi's profession have to do with anything (other than that he is well trained to spot a scam)?


I more than anyone appreciate the right to freedom of speech but this is all a bit much.

Yes indeed.


Well a lot of things in this world can't be explained.

Such as trolls, liars, idiots?

[ADE651]

Dear All,
I am currently a very satisfied customer of the ADE 651. I happened to come across your angry tirade against the technology, but let me assure you these products work. I also checked out Mr Randis site which to me initially seemed very professional and reliable source of information, then i read about Mr Randi himself and realised he was a MAGICIAN AND ESCAPE ARTIST HAHAHAH!! I more than anyone appreciate the right to freedom of speech but this is all a bit much. If the ADE 651 didn't reallly work do you honestly believe customers would buy it. Beforing buying any ADE unit you are provided with a full demonstration and the customer himself is allowed to use the device. This is all besides the point seeing as I cannot seem to understand what you all gain from this? ATSC are selling products to customers such as myself who are happy with the product. We have used the product and seen that it works, why do you insist on the fact that it doesn't? Is it because you can't explain it? Well a lot of things in this world can't be explained. As a satisfied repeat customer of the ADE 651 i felt it was my duty to defend the product and the people who sell it. Show me one dissatisfied customer, thats all i ask of you. I suggest that you get a life and put all your time and effort into contributing to society in some form.

[Matt]

Dear All,
I am currently a very satisfied customer of the ADE 651.

Not a shill then?


I happened to come across your angry tirade against the technology, but let me assure you these products work. I also checked out Mr Randis site which to me initially seemed very professional and reliable source of information, then i read about Mr Randi himself and realised he was a MAGICIAN AND ESCAPE ARTIST HAHAHAH!! I more than anyone appreciate the right to freedom of speech but this is all a bit much.

Who better to reveal such tricks than a professional charletan? Still even if he happend to be baby rapist it makes no difference to the validity of his argument which must be judged on it's own merits.


If the ADE 651 didn't reallly work do you honestly believe customers would buy it

Yes.


Beforing buying any ADE unit you are provided with a full demonstration and the customer himself is allowed to use the device.

We know. Isn't the ideomotor effect amazing, esspecially if you don't know what it is.


This is all besides the point seeing as I cannot seem to understand what you all gain from this?

Nothing. It's a public service. What do you get out of defending it? Assuming you're not a shill.


ATSC are selling products to customers such as myself who are happy with the product. We have used the product and seen that it works, why do you insist on the fact that it doesn't?

Because it has not been demonstrated to work beyond the ideomotor effect, because there's no plausible reason for it to work beyond the ideomotor effect.


Is it because you can't explain it?

Haven't you been paying attention, it works through the ideomotor effect. Now if it could detect itmes in a double blind test, then that would prove us wrong. Howeve as it stands it looks like an expesive form of dowsing.


Well a lot of things in this world can't be explained. As a satisfied repeat customer of the ADE 651 i felt it was my duty to defend the product and the people who sell it.

How very dutiful of you.


Show me one dissatisfied customer, thats all i ask of you. I suggest that you get a life and put all your time and effort into contributing to society in some form.

I see, you havent' been paying attention - a dissatisfied customer - how about the US Navy
http://askjot.com/search/Sniffex

[tolman]

So, we have a publicly identified organisation that says they're worthless, versus one completely anonymous internet poster pretending to be a customer who says they work.

It seems to me that if these things actually did work, then word would spread fast, and any number of security bodies the world over would be using them without the company having to advertise at all, whether directly, or by using sock puppets who apparently don't even understand what paragraphs are for.

[Dubious Dick]

Hi ADE 651,

No doubt as a committed buyer and supporter of the ADE651 you will be prepared to put forward this absolutely incredible equipment for independent, double blind testing. Let us know asap.

Thanks,
DD

[techowiz]

Dear All,
I am currently a very satisfied customer of the ADE 651.

;D;D;D

I happened to come across your angry tirade against the technology, but let me assure you these products work.

;D;D;D

If the ADE 651 didn't reallly work do you honestly believe customers would buy it.

Yes, there are gullible, stupid and corrupt people the world over. which one are you?

Beforing buying any ADE unit you are provided with a full demonstration and the customer himself is allowed to use the device.

;D;D;D

This is all besides the point seeing as I cannot seem to understand what you all gain from this?

To expose the fraud that is dowsing rods can detect explosives/drugs.

ATSC are selling products to customers such as myself who are happy with the product.

As stated before which one are you, corrupt, gullible or just stupid?

We have used the product and seen that it works,

;D;D;D

why do you insist on the fact that it doesn't?

Because it does not and cannot work as stated.

As a satisfied repeat customer of the ADE 651 i felt it was my duty to defend the product and the people who sell it.

Thanks Mr Jim::)

Show me one dissatisfied customer, thats all i ask of you.

US Navy
US Dept of Justice......

I suggest that you get a life and put all your time and effort into contributing to society in some form.

OK Mr Jim, hope we are not having to much impact on your 'business'.


Thanks for the laugh!!!

[techowiz]

Latest update, the lying scumbag who goes under the name of, Mr Jim, on his youtube website posted an advertisement linking his scam device, the ADE651 to the tragedy of July the 7th. The suggestion being that his device could have someway prevented that tragedy.
After a suitable exposure by Dubious Dick and myself, the offending advertisement has been removed.
Mr Jim and the others, please note any more lies you post on the web will be exposed.

[techowiz]

Another updae from the blog of Mr Jim;

He has found a new phrase to describe the working of his ridiculous ADE651, apparently it now works on, 'Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance";D;D;D

Mr Jim how long has it taken you to find that phrase?
Better luck next time.
regards

[Mulder]

Um, Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance is real (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_quadrupole_resonance)and can be used in bomb detection. Du Pont have a patent (http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn7596-invention-autoadjusting-rifle-scope.html)for it. However, their system uses high power radio transmission. I doen't seem to have a long range.

[tolman]

I wonder if the legitimate people who actually *are* trying to use NQR for explosives detection would be interested to hear that someone else was trying to promote apparently useless hardware by suggesting it used NQR?

Also, looking at the blog for the ADE651, it does seem that the author uses one of the classic signs of someone writing in a condescending way about things they know nothing about - the constant use of '........' as an attempt at punctuation.

I can't help wondering if there's a manual around somewhere to tell frauds and strange people how to flag their writing to everyone else as a likely dribble-of-semiconsciousness, or do some of them seriously think it makes them look well-informed and literate?

[Trinoc]

This story looks horribly familiar ... dowsing for bombs in Iraq ...

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111750111

[techowiz]

Mulder & Tolman,

I have sent Dupont an email pointing out the possible infringement of their patent by ATSC, hope it does'nt cause any trouble;D
regards

[tolman]

I have sent Dupont an email pointing out the possible infringement of their patent by ATSC, hope it does'nt cause any trouble.
Well, how *could* it?
I mean, the guy selling this kit is obviously above reproach, and would never lie about how it works, or try to make money on the back of anyone else's hard work.

[techowiz]

UPDATE******

The ATSC website has now been offline for a few weeks now. Hope we haven't caused Mr Jim any problems, is it too much to hope for that he has stopped selling his scam equipment.
regards

[tolman]

The ATSC website has now been offline for a few weeks now. Hope we haven't caused Mr Jim any problems, is it too much to hope for that he has stopped selling his scam equipment.
regards
Somehow I hear the voice of Arnie in my head saying "I'll be back!". I think only a decent sentence for fraud is likely to make the voice go away completely.

On the other hand, looking on the bright side, maybe a surviving relative of someone who actually tried to use the PoS for mine clearance caught up with him.

[rodnordland]

just a quick post to get started

[rodnordland]

"Dubious Dick" I would very much like to get in touch with you for a story I'm working on about use of these devices in Baghdad. Rod Nordland, NY Times, Baghdad bureau, +964-7901-918448 rod.nordland@nytimes.com
Thanks

[Dubious Dick]

Great news guys. Rod Nordland of the NYT has done an expose on the ADE sold to Iraq. When you see the numbers he has come up with on sales values you will be shocked. Anyway. The big media breakthrough I've been promising the bastrads who sell these devices, and we won't be stopping there! Look out Jim, Gary et al!

Everyone go to this link and do comments to try to raise the profile of the story if you can, please. Also link to on blogs if you have one please. Again for higher search profile. Thanks if you can.

Cheers, DD

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/04/world/middleeast/04sensors.html?_r=1&hp

[tolman]

One wonders how big a backhander the Iraqi General is getting for his part in the scam?

[Admin]

Nice to see Hal Bidlack and the JREF getting some credit here after all the work DD has done on this.

[Croydon Bob]

A great article.

Well done Dick, JREF and everyone else who has helped to expose these scammers. It's a really good example of how important and positive skepticism can be and how the skeptics can actually change things and save lives.

And thanks Rod for writing the article.

[Croydon Bob]

Nice to see Hal Bidlack and the JREF getting some credit here after all the work DD has done on this.

The JREF had written about the ADE 651 before Dick started this thread. And it is a US newspaper, there's benefits in pointing readers at the JREF.

[Admin]

The JREF had written about the ADE 651 before Dick started this thread. And it is a US newspaper, there's benefits in pointing readers at the JREF.

That's a great reason for not acknowledging DD's input on this. O0

[techowiz]

I see the usually very vocal, Mr Jim of ATSC did not return any calls what a surprise. Full credit to DD for giving Rod the background. I know that this article is already causing the scammers a lot of problems.;D
regards

[shimself]

If on the other hand the zealots and poor dupes who want to blow people up believe that the detectors work, well actually they achieve their purpose.

[tolman]

You think that no-one has tried getting past them and then realised they're bogus?

Suicide bomber wouldn't take the risk?

[Dubious Dick]

Just to clarify. I asked Rod not to quote me for reasons of confidentiality as well as the fact that I am just an amateur camapigner. I do not yet know where Rod picked up the story. Certainly some of the info looks like it came from our sources, but I am not out to seek any credit for this. Just to keep the story rolling as far as possible.

It is a fact that I picked up on the JREF challenge to Cumberland Industries (an agent of ATSC/Jim McCormick. Took an interest because it was a UK outfit, and then discovered the links to ATSC. Then, mainly through some sustained emailing campaigns, and help from some of you guys digging up info e.g. companies house, etc, a small group of us have tried to keep some momentum on the thing, discovered that there are a few more purveyors of this dowsing poop, and tried to stir up trouble for them where we can. I hope that this pressure has had some part in disrupting their businesses!!

We had a small but important victory when Global Technical were ordered by the MOD to remove references to UK approvals. Now this article which hopefully will send shockwaves through the whole damn business.

Someone who really should take credit is LUMPY of Questions anout Sniffex blog, which has been reporting assiduously on the scamsters for some time.

Thanks for positive comments though.

[navybombguy]

DD,
I would like to discuss with you off the forum. I recently came back from Iraq and was DIRECTLY involved with Iraq Security Forces using this device. thanks,
NBG

[techowiz]

Hi Navybombguy,

I am aware that DD is busy with some things at the moment and may not respond as quickly as you like.
I have been working with DD on this project virtually from the beginning you can pm me if it would help to get things moving.
regards

[bindeweede]

I see Ben Goldacre has written about the issue.


It’s always interesting when people take pseudoscience out of its natural habitat – Islington – and off into a place where the stakes are quite high. Like the polio vaccine scare in Nigeria. Or Aids denialism in South Africa. Or detecting bombs in Iraq, where the New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/04/world/middleeast/04sensors.html?_r=4&hp) and magician James Randi have uncovered a nonsense of truly epic proportions.http://www.badscience.net/2009/11/wtf/#more-1397

[ollybee]

The publication where you would expect to find research into this area is the IEEE Sensors Journal. This is published by the IEEE Sensors Council. If this organisation could be persuaded to make some sort of statement on the supposed science behind the scam devices I'm sure it would be helpful.

I could contact them myself but i have only been reading about this for exactly one hour since I read the Bad Science article at the beginning of my lunch break.

[salimfadhley]

Is there anybody who can speak about this topic for the Pod Delusion podcast. I'd like to do a short telephone interview about this, preferably tonight.

Please DM me via this forum if you can help?

Thanks!

[Dubious Dick]

DD,
I would like to discuss with you off the forum. I recently came back from Iraq and was DIRECTLY involved with Iraq Security Forces using this device. thanks,
NBG

Hi NBG. be happy to make contact. Have tried a PM but yours is turned off. Please PM me and I'll get back.

Cheers,
DD

[Dubious Dick]

Is there anybody who can speak about this topic for the Pod Delusion podcast. I'd like to do a short telephone interview about this, preferably tonight.

Please DM me via this forum if you can help?

Thanks!

Hi Salim, Have PMed you and look forward to response.

Cheers.
DD

[until_then]

Hello Everybody,

This is my first post here.

I just want to say that I hope all the scammers who sell these fraudulent detection devices get shut down real quick. Let's spread the word in any way we can, whether it's by blog, email, airmail, snailmail, ANYMAIL. We have to stop these unscrupulous vendors.

I hope the podcast works out, and any journalist who writes and contributes to this cause should be commended.O0

[FarSideOfTheMoon]

O0

Belated well done to DD.

[techowiz]

Hi DD,
Have sent you an email, give me a shout.
To everyone else Mr Jim is responding to comments on his blog at:

http://ade651.blogspot.com/

You can see for some reason he does not appear to like me::)
He will of course not answer any questions, usually because he does not know the answer, but it is funny to extract some comment out of him which goes to show how ridiculous he is.
regards

[tolman]

I see he's making good use of his drool dots (.....).
They're almost always a good guide to the quality one can expect from someone's writing, even before one starts looking at the words.

[salimfadhley]

Sorry I missed you Dubious Dick - I just posted a PM to you with my contact details. Let's see if I have better luck this time.

[techowiz]

Hello Everybody,

This is my first post here.

I just want to say that I hope all the scammers who sell these fraudulent detection devices get shut down real quick. Let's spread the word in any way we can, whether it's by blog, email, airmail, snailmail, ANYMAIL. We have to stop these unscrupulous vendors.

I hope the podcast works out, and any journalist who writes and contributes to this cause should be commended.O0
Do what we have done write to your MP and your local papers. Keep us posted of any progress.
regards

[salimfadhley]

Still looking for a person who is willing to talk about this on a podcast. I tried to contact Dubious Dick, but the complexities of this forum's DM system elude me. My twitter ID is @salimfadhley if anybody wants to try another means of contacting me. Ideally I'd like to record tonight.

[farmersboy]

I see this has surfaced on the Daily Wail website...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1231678/Iraq-spent-85million-useless-bomb-detectors-Britain.html

[polomint38]

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 quote is from Jim McCormick, the MD, he knows these people are so removed from reality, he can say shit like this and they don't realise he is laughing at them. >:-)

He needs a slap
http://www.manysmileys.com/download.html/-/p/slap-2/id/24529

[techowiz]

I see the Scammer-in-Chief, Jim McCormick used to be a, Merseyside Police Officer, words fail me.
Perhaps of more interest he is working on an upgraded model to the scam device the ADE651, the new one will have 'flashing lights'. I kid you not, check out the story on:
http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article6935574.ece

Of no surprise apparently he has NO scientific or technical knowledge whatsoever::), yet still 'invented' the ADE651!!!!
regards

[Dubious Dick]

Just delighetd to see the way thes tory is spreading. Let's just hope that the authorities decide to do something serious with the conmen. In particular Jim McCormick of ATSC with the ADE651 and Gary Bolton of Global Technical with the GT200. Sorry to mention them again but hope that it helps search hits to this forum and more people will discover what a load of old baloney these people sell for many millions of bucks.

Looks like the story has finally developed the legs we wanted. Any further help in spreading the word still gratefully received.

[until_then]

I'm also V pleased that this most important story is spreading, as indeed it should.

There is apparently a guy somewhere in North London who sells some sort of so-called detection equipment called the Alpha 6. Apparently in the same category of scam stuff as the ADE 651.

Scary stuff, this sort of thing. About time people started to sit up and take notice of this and finally actually DO something about it before more people are blown up>:-)

[techowiz]

Alpha 6 is indeed part of the same type of scam device.
Make sure you write to your MP and local papers, spread the word.
regards

[techowiz]

DD,
Can you contact Dr Bruce Hood at the following website A.S.A.P. He is going to see a demonstration by McCormick of his scam device the ADE651, thought you might like to go along.
Check out:
http://brucemhood.wordpress.com/2009/12/01/how-to-make-a-killing-with-the-woo-bomb-detector/#comment-2444

regards

[Admin]

A series of car bombings has killed at least 127 people and wounded 448 in the centre of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/8400865.stm

Every time I see something like this now I wonder about those dowsing devices.

Obviously, we've got no way of knowing whether they were used in this instance but I can't help wondering...


Baghdad is lined with blast walls and checkpoints. Officials had said that they had stepped up security. Many here are asking how cars full of explosives continue to get through checkpoints. (Bolding mine)Well, if they're trying to detect explosives with these ADE 651 dowsing rods then it's no more effective than random guessing.

If I was a terrorist leader out there and I knew certain checkpoints etc. were employing these dowsing devices then they would be the very ones I'd target to get my explosives past, as there's very little chance of them being detected.

[Croydon Bob]

A series of car bombings has killed at least 127 people and wounded 448 in the centre of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.

Sobering stuff John.

It's important to remember examples like this when we get the old "what harm does it do?" crap.

[shimself]

The BBC correspondent today asks
Many here are asking how cars full of explosives continue to get through checkpoints.

.!

[dlorde]

The BBC correspondent today asks
Many here are asking how cars full of explosives continue to get through checkpoints.

.!

Listening to BBC Radio 4 this evening, one of the reporters from Baghdad said that very quote - and followed it by saying that the Iraqi police are using small electronic gadgets to detect bombs, wondering whether they were effective, and words to the effect that 'some people are saying they just don't work'. I haven't seen those extra comments online yet...

Doesn't anyone do any background research any more?

[FarSideOfTheMoon]

*If* it really does turn out that these devices are one of the main causes of car bombings like this (other than sympathisers, poor security, etc) then it will be an absolutely huge scandal. Someone should go to jail for a very, very long time.

[tolman]

Someone should go to jail for a very, very long time.
Wouldn't it just be cheaper to send them to Baghdad?

[FarSideOfTheMoon]

Wouldn't it just be cheaper to send them to Baghdad?

I think we could arrange some double blinded testing.

[shimself]

I just wrote to my MP, and also Opposition Defence person (Liam fox whose email is douglasi@parliament.uk - some kind of secret identity I suppose)

[techowiz]

Well done Shimself,

I have just posted on the blog of McCormick, the alleged inventor of the scam device known as the ADE651, making sure he is aware that his stick on a swivel has failed, yet agin, in Iraq with the loss of 120+ lives THIS time. No doubt he will just shrug his shoulders and keep counting his money.
regards

[Dubious Dick]

In the spirit (perhaps not the ideal word) of atheism, may I first wish you all a jolly holiday.

Seems we have had some major breakthroughs on the fake detectors saga this year, and the New Year should bring more unwelcome publicity and action for the likes of Jim 'five bellies' McCormick at ATSC. Bet the ADE 651 did not detect all this SH1T, Jimbo! Ho Ho Ho!

Also seasons greetings to Gary Bolton at Global Technical, with the equally crappy GT200. Special mentions also to the boys and girls behind the Alpha 6, the PSD 2, and David Vollmar at Sniffex Europe. Remember when we said we're gonna get ya? Well, our guarantees are worth the paper they are wrtitten on!

Anyhow, look out for the Pod Delusion webcast on New Years day, and if you have not joined our little campaign yet, please do feel free to write to your M.P.s asking that every effort is made to shut down the charalatans and prosecute Jim et al for their blatant frauds. Please remember, as we predicted, lives are being lost due to these useless radio aerials on swivels.

All the very best for a great 2010 to my fellow skepticians, and to hell (or at least the earthly equivalent!) with the scammers, con artists etc who pollute our rational atmosphere.

[techowiz]

Hello all and one to note for you also DD,

I see our aforementioned friend David Vollmar of Sniffex Plus fame has now ditched the infamous Sniffex brand name in favour of the, HEDD1, same sh*t different name. Yes it's still got the only free swinging stick and needs static for power. Check it out at the link below:

http://www.unival-group.com/hedd1.htm

The battle goes on into the new year, that just leaves me the pleasure of wishing you all a very happy christmas and new year.
regards

[salimfadhley]

The interview Dubious Dick mentioned is out now, so please go listen to the Pod Delusion.

http://poddelusion.co.uk/blog/2010/01/01/episode-15-1st-january-2010-new-years-awards/

[polomint38]

The interview Dubious Dick mentioned is out now, so please go listen to the Pod Delusion.

http://poddelusion.co.uk/blog/2010/01/01/episode-15-1st-january-2010-new-years-awards/

Unadulterated advertising of a podcast you're on >:-), although it is a very good podcast, I've been listening to it, good work. O0

[techowiz]

The sniffex reborn the HEDD1 as I mentioned above is basically a sniffex with a battery. For a really good laugh check it out on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcAXDS2l4fU

;D;D;D
regards

[tolman]

The sniffex reborn the HEDD1 as I mentioned above is basically a sniffex with a battery.
So it's basically:
Take turd.
Apply polish.
Change name.
Find next corrupt official to do deal with.

[salimfadhley]

So it's basically:
Take turd.
Apply polish.
Change name.
Find next corrupt official to do deal with.

Did the sniffex have the patented "reset button"?

[tolman]

I see our aforementioned friend David Vollmar of Sniffex Plus fame has now ditched the infamous Sniffex brand name in favour of the, HEDD1, same sh*t different name. Yes it's still got the only free swinging stick and needs static for power. Check it out at the link below:

http://www.unival-group.com/hedd1.htm
He's obviously spent some of his ill-gotten gains on some graphic design.
Such a pity that it's all bollocks - the nice graphics on the front page doesn't even have the explosive or operator centred in their supposed magnetic fields, either vertically or horizontally.

[tolman]

"Head of ATSC 'bomb detector' company arrested on suspicion of fraud"

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6997859.ece

I wonder which magic explosives detector company will be next for police scrutiny?

[Admin]

I can't say too much at the moment, but there's something on Newsnight tonight that will be worth watching too. O0

[Harryprice]

I can't say too much at the moment, but there's something on Newsnight tonight that will be worth watching too. O0

See http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/8471187.stm

[Dubious Dick]

Looks like we are finally there after a campaign that has lasted over a year. Congrats to Techo who has kept the momentum going these last few Months. Tenacity is the key to success!

I hope this will inspire more of you to take action against charlatans and fraudsters as it can and does work. I know we have some great campaigners here already. The more the merrier.

There will be a drink or two to celebrate if McCormick goes down. There are a couple of others Like Gary Bolton whose collars need feeling too, but he may be on a plane out of here already!

HIP HIP HOORAY!!!!!

[techowiz]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, you all beat me to it. GREAT NEWS about McCormick, I have just posted on his blog the following:

Knock Knock

Who's there

The cops you are nicked.

Let's hope he hasn't lost his sense of humour with his liberty.
regards and well done to all involved.

[FarSideOfTheMoon]

I think the news was very careful to use the words 'bomb detection device doesn't work'. Whereas the actual details of the report made it quite clear this is a fraudulent device, without having to even read between any lines.

I heard it on R4 on the way home and just seen it on BBC news at 6. Looking forward to Newsnight now.

Let's hope there is something this man can be charged with.

[tolman]

Let's hope there is something this man can be charged with.
Better yet, let's hope that the Iraqi inquiry isn't a whitewash, and they ask us to send him there for trial.

[Pebble]

Newsnight seemed to claim all the credit on this one! The dateline of this thread shows otherwise.

[bindeweede]

Newsnight seemed to claim all the credit on this one! The dateline of this thread shows otherwise.

I wonder who tipped them off.
The ban on the ADE-651 and other similar devices starts next week.But the ban only applies to Iraq and Afghanistan, according to the Newsnight programme. There are (I think it was said) another 28 countries to which the ADE 651 is exported and the Govt. does not have the authority to ban to these countries.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/8471187.stm

[tolman]

Are there official admissions from other countries that they are buying them?

You could hardly trust the word of an apparent professional deceiver on how many he sold to who, and for how much.

[Graham Lappin]

Latest on the BBC website (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8476381.stm).

Looks like a lot of people fell for it, who really should know better.

[stewgreen]

Why did it take so long for "hot shot" journalists to expose that detectors based on woo woo haved contributed to the deaths of 100s of people ?

when do think the story of the woo woo bomb detector ADE651 first came up ?
last nights Newsnight article
or the New York Times 4/11/2009
UK Skeptics forum Oct 22 20/9http://www.ukskeptics.com/archive/index.php/t-3086.html
NPR September 8, 2009 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111750111
no even in Aug 2008 it was old news http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/swift-blog/211-
swift-august-22-2008.html

and that article made the point that Richard Saunders on the Aussie skeptics had even trialed the device
so he must have been on the case a long time

http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/178913-2.pdf
warns about dfetectors based on dowsing as none have ever worked in scientific trials
....I can't find a date for this one

[bindeweede]

I came across two interesting quotes in today's Independent...



Major General Richard J Rowe, of the US army, who oversees the training of Iraqi police in Baghdad, stressed that the American forces did not use the ADE 651. He said: "I don't believe there is a magic wand that can detect explosives. If there was, we would all be using it. I have no confidence that these work." The American professional magician James Randi has charged that the detectors were a "blatant fraud" and offered Mr McCormick $1m if he could prove that they work.



However the device has some defenders in Iraq. Major General Jihad al-Jabiri, the head of the Interior Ministry's directorate for combat explosives, said: "Whether it's magic or scientific, what I care about is detecting bombs. I don't care what they say. I know more about bombs than the Americans do. In fact, I know more about bombs than anyone in the world."If the quote is accurate, the Iraqi General's comment is very odd, seeing as the "bogus" equipment obviously does NOT detect bombs.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/head-of-bomb-detector-company-arrested-in-fraud-investigation-1876388.html

[tolman]

It's not remotely odd if the general is deeply gullible, or is on the take himself.

Remember that a huge part of the price supposedly paid is for 'training and middlemen'.
I think we all know just what 'middleman' can mean.

[techowiz]

I came across two interesting quotes in today's Independent...

If the quote is accurate, the Iraqi General's comment is very odd, seeing as the "bogus" equipment obviously does NOT detect bombs.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/head-of-bomb-detector-company-arrested-in-fraud-investigation-1876388.html

The quotes listed above are from the original story in the New York Times on the 4th November, the link is below:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/04/world/middleeast/04sensors.html?_r=2&scp=1&sq=ade651&st=cse

As an aside the New York Times are doing a follow up story on this saga tomorrow, watch out for it.
regards

[Dubious Dick]

Now let's hope that Jimbo gets the full monty. A jail sentence and ll his ill gotten gains confiscated would be too good for him.

Cannot praise Techo, Lumpy et al enough for keeping up the campaign through thick and thin. We promised these b******s we'd get 'em. No credit required. Just the satisfaction of having helped keep the pressure up to a point where the story broke.

Now we want Gary Bolton at Global Technical and his GT200. Also the people behind the Alpha 6 and the PSD 2.

Also David Vollmar at SNIFFEX in Germany. Come on folks. Let's pressurise the authorities to completely shut down this dowsing scam!

[NewsnightMeirion]

Newsnight seemed to claim all the credit on this one! The dateline of this thread shows otherwise.

I'm Meirion from Newsnight and I just want to clear up a couple of things.

First is as we all know the person who deserves the credit for first calling attention to these bogus detector scams is James Randi back in the mid 1990s. That's why when we broke our story on Friday at 14.00 GMT on the BBC Online website we 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."

Credit where credit's due.

That said there are about a dozen websites which have carried on the campaign over the last couple of years including yours and I have found them useful. I keep an eye on Randi - we once put him in debate with Uri Geller and showed exactly how Geller bends spoons etc and I awas aware of the fake bomb detector stuff from way back. I occasionally browse UK-Skeptics amongst others - especially when you're discussing one of my stories - such as homeopathic cures for malaria in 2006 (Royal Pharmaceutical Society will finally get round this summer to the disciplinary hearings for the chemists who we exposed prescribing water for dangerous tropical diseases - four years after the programme).

I only realised in November 2009 when I read Rod Nordland's excellent article in NYT that these so-called detectors devices were being widely used at checkpoints in Iraq. I assumed following this that something had been done. It wasn't till our former Baghdad correspondent Caroline Hawley came to me outraged after the December blasts that I realised they were still in use. Then we saw that McCormick was back in Baghdad with an Interior Ministry General and they were still both saying the devices worked. We decided that something had to be done urgently to close this down. Although similar devices to the ADE651 had failed tests at Sandia, US Navy Labs and Quantico no-one had specifically tested the ADE651 and proved that it didn't work and published that.

We set out to do that because we thought that might force the UK government to act quickly (whether for fear of embarrassment or because they needed some hard evidence or whatever others can speculate). On January 5th we went to ATSC's offices. The following day McCormick was arrested although the arrest was kept quiet. We acquired the supposedly key element of the ADE651 the "programmed substance detection cards" and arranged for lab tests. If they had had chips in them we would have extracted the code and tested what they could do. We expected to be able to prove that the "programmed substance detection cards" could not detect explosives or any other substances and therefore that the ADE651 could not work. About ten days before transmission we contacted government departments and told them we expected to have hard evidence. They said that they were looking at whether they could ban exports but there was no time frame for doing that.

On the Tuesday before transmission we told them that we had the hard evidence - because the electronic circuit in the card could not store any information let alone be programmed to detect anything - and we would broadcast on Friday. I imagine it would have been clear to them that if they did not take action urgently when we broadcast there would be a public outcry and political storm. But if you wish to believe that it was a coincidence that they announced a ban on exports two hours after our story appeared on the website and two hours before we put a short version of the story out on the Six O'Clock news... hey you're supposed to be the UK-Skeptics aren't you?

All we did with the help of Dr Markus Kuhn, Professor Bruce Hood, Sidney Alford and one particular hero who wishes to remain anonymous was prove that the ADE651 specifically could not detect bombs and give the UK government that evidence.

I think everyone who has campaigned against these products deserves credit. Incidentally we quietly contacted UK-Skeptics, James Randi etc once we had the evidence a few days before broadcast and quietly told them that we would be in a position to do something. We still have further evidence on the GT200 if that continues to be used in Thailand (the unnamed dowser "black box" that we opened in the film which was empty was in fact a GT200 - and we also have film of what's in their detector cards) We are also aware that the ban does not apply to the ADE651 in Pakistan where we have film of it being used. There's also the matter of all those other countries and other products such as Alpha 6, Sniffex etc and we will follow up if nothing is done about that.

I hope that makes things clear.

Meirion

[Admin]

Well, I'd like to say a big thank you to Meirion and the Newsnight team for running with this and exposing it nationally. And, of course, embarrassing the government to take this seriously and act.

It's just a crying shame that it takes the embarrassment of exposure to make the government act rather than taking concerns over such bogus devices seriously in the first place.

We can point out that these devices are merely glorified dowsing rods that (appear to) work by the ideomotor effect (http://www.ukskeptics.com/article.php?dir=articles&article=ideomotor_effect.php) but we don't have enough clout to force anyone to listen. So thanks again to Newsnight for their decision. An action that will undoubtedly save lives (because the use of these bogus devices has clearly cost lives).

[Pebble]

I think everyone who has campaigned against these products deserves credit. Incidentally we quietly contacted UK Sceptics, James Randi etc once we had the evidence a few days before broadcast and quietly told them that we would be in a position to do something. We still have further evidence on the GT200 if that continues to be used in Thailand (the unnamed dowser "black box" that we opened in the film which was empty was in fact a GT200 - and we also have film of what's in their detector cards) We are also aware that the ban does not apply to the ADE651 in Pakistan where we have film of it being used. There's also the matter of all those other countries and other products such as Alpha 6, Sniffex etc and we will follow up if nothing is done about that.

I hope that makes things clear.

Meirion


Thanks for taking the time to respond.

My reading is that the issue only became worth pursuing when it was evident that there was a potential for legal action. This is depressing! Given that there was clear evidence that the devices didn't work, were being sold to the gullible and were being used in the field - yet this was not enough of a scandal.

I assume it follows that unless British lives are proven to be at risk from the GT200, Alpha 6 & Sniffex then no legal proceedings are possible, hence there is insufficient to justify Newsnight making a program on them?

If I am being too pessimistic, then given that DD, Techno & Lumpy are obviously very committed perhaps clarity on the evidence that would work for you might provide a way forward.

[tolman]

I guess one small consolation of a long lead-in is that it makes it harder for someone to pretend they thought the devices worked when they've clearly known for ages that many people didn't believe they did.

Especially when someone responds to criticism by claiming the devices work by specific scientific effects, as McCormick has clearly done in public, they don't have much chance of later on pretending they're some innocent soul who just managed to fool themselves.

[tolman]

New report:


"Some Iraqi officials are insisting that a controversial bomb detection device works, despite a BBC inquiry in which experts said the item was ineffective."http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/8477601.stm

I wonder how many of the protesting officials were actually on the take, and are just trying to save their skins.


"The reason the director of the company was arrested was not because the device doesn't work, but because he refused to divulge the secret of how it works to the British authorities, and the Americans before them," the general was quoted as saying. "I have tested it in practice and it works effectively and 100% reliably.
Sounds like another person who should be happy to prove their 100% confidence in the middle of a mess of booby-traps.

[techowiz]

New report:

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

I wonder how many of the protesting officials were actually on the take, and are just trying to save their skins.

Absolutely correct. The protest of Iraqi senior officers needs to be looked at in perspective. They are fighting to keep the money they have taken from purchasing the scam device in bribes. Iraq still has the death sentence so those same officers are also fighting for their lives.

Sounds like another person who should be happy to prove their 100% confidence in the middle of a mess of booby-traps.

I would also like to thank Meirion for taking the time out to tell us how the story broke.

I would ask all members not to be concerned with who has or has not had praise for how the story came about. All I care about is the result, and the result that the Scammer-in-Chief McCormick has been arrested is one for all of us to be proud about. The fact he has again run away, this time aftre exposure on Newsnight in itself speaks volumes, remember how he ran off after The New York Times exposure?
Anyway I'm sure he wont be servicing his blog anytime soon, so I will miss he not so nice comments about me.
As DD says, the war is not yet won, we have only won the first battle, we will now concentrate our efforts to attack the second fraudster, Gary Bolton of Global Technical Ltd. and his useless GT200 that has caused loss of life in Thialand.
regards

[NewsnightMeirion]

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

My reading is that the issue only became worth pursuing when it was evident that there was a potential for legal action. This is depressing! Given that there was clear evidence that the devices didn't work, were being sold to the gullible and were being used in the field - yet this was not enough of a scandal.

I assume it follows that unless British lives are proven to be at risk from the GT200, Alpha 6 & Sniffex then no legal proceedings are possible, hence there is insufficient to justify Newsnight making a program on them?

If I am being too pessimistic, then given that DD, Techno & Lumpy are obviously very committed perhaps clarity on the evidence that would work for you might provide a way forward.

[QUOTE=Pebble;82482]Thanks for taking the time to respond.


The reason people like me don’t write on blogs like this is because you get dragged into a load of nonsense. However sensible most of the contributors are you always get someone who is badly informed who wants to turn it into a fight about nothing rather than concentrating on the issues. If you don’t respond to what they say it looks like you’re accepting it is true and if you do respond you get sucked into a pointless discussion which I don’t have time for if I’m going to keep doing my job of exposing things which are wrong whether its Trafigura dumping toxic waste in Ivory Coast or the ADE651 or whatever. I guess I thought the UK-Skeptics site would be different but I was wrong.

I thought it would be a good idea to explain what we did. I’m sorry I posted anything and I won’t do it again. With huge respect to Techowiz and DD and the person you call Lumpy but who I only know from the Sniffex blog who’ve all done amazing work and who I have huge respect for I’m going to answer Pebble and then quit this blog. I wish you good luck with whatever you go for but I won’t be watching any more.

Pebble – I’m not sure how much original research you’ve contributed to this subject – probably loads - but you have chosen to misread what I had written then make totally unfounded assumptions based on your misreading of what I had written and finally jump to an illogical conclusion. Are you sure you shouldn’t quit the UK-Skeptics blog and instead join a “Believe in 100 Impossible Things Before Breakfast:” blog instead?. With your attitude to facts I think you could have a great future working in sales – for Jim McCormick.

You say “My reading is that the issue only became worth pursuing when it was evident that there was a potential for legal action”. How on earth did you get that from reading what I had written?

After the December blasts and McCormick’s appearance in Baghdad to still maintain that his absurd devices worked we went flat out to prove him wrong and get something done. The film was on from that moment. We went flat out to obtain the ADE651 “programmed substance detection cards” we set up the lab tests we got access to a GT200. As I said we went to ATSC on January 5th and filmed the stand up by Caroline which appears in the film – the following day McCormick was arrested. We interviewed Prof Bruce Hood and set up to film with Sidney Alford. Two thirds of the film was already in the can before we approached the Government. The Government suggested to us that something might be done but a long time in the future so we applied as much pressure as we could.

Yet your version of this is “My reading is that the issue only became worth pursuing when it was evident that there was a potential for legal action” if you’re honest you’ll admit that’s totally wrong. If you’re not honest there’s a job for you with Jim McCormick.

So based on that misreading and bogus assumption you then absurdly conclude
“I assume it follows that unless British lives are proven to be at risk from the GT200, Alpha 6 & Sniffex then no legal proceedings are possible, hence there is insufficient to justify Newsnight making a program on them?” What on earth is the logical basis for that conclusion?” Do you think our determination to get this off the streets of Baghdad is based on concern for British lives? There are hardly any Brits left in Baghdad any more – this is about concern for primarily Iraqi lives.

Anyhow bye bye UK-Skeptics my mistake to think I could usefully engage with you.

Good night and good luck (not that I believe in luck) and definitely good bye.

Meirion

[Admin]

Well that was a long and fruitful association! :cheesy:

I think Pebble makes a very good point though.

If Newsnight has managed so successfully to deal with the ADE651 device and also has evidence that other such devices are being used (they have different names but all 'work' to the same basic formula) then why not report on the use of those other devices also?

[tolman]

It's certainly sad that Meirion chose to leave so quickly.
Though I can understand someone being upset at cynicism when they've done some good work, I think much of the cynicism was fuelled by the lack of willingness of government to do much unless UK lives were obviously under threat.
Also, if someone decides to judge an entire forum based seemingly on the least sympathetic response, and then leave for good, I'd wonder how many forums they might ever stay in for long.

As for newsnight not [yet] having covered other devices, I'd guess that at the very least, they'd want to get their hands on them, and have a professional opinion before saying they're all just as bogus as the ADE651, if only to cover their backs.

Even if something fairly obviously doesn't work unless the laws of physics are wrong, it's a bit different for a high profile media outlet to say so than for some random individual here.

You'd think that after one decent piece, some people in authority should pick it up and run with it, and go after all the similar scammers.

Maybe they also have to be a bit more circumspect when criminal charges are a possibility. Someone coming and reading stuff here probably knows roughly what to expect. The BBC might have to be more cautious - even coverage of similar devices might have to be done carefully if/when charges are brought against McCormick.

[Dubious Dick]

Sorry that a row has broken out over this. Bit of a shame, and do think that the Meirion has overreacted to what Pebbles comments.

Want to reiterate that as with Techo don't really care for getting any credit for this. Hopefully have made it clear that I picked up from JREF in first place.

However, there is some interesting background to this story getting picked up. I know that the story was pitched within the beeb some time before Newsnight picked up on it. Am checking to see if it was pitched to Newsnight, but am fairly certain that it was to Panorama, and also to C4 news. We also tried to get Ben Goldacre to go with it earlier in 2009, as well as a number of others.

Seems to me it properly broke when Rod Norland did his piece in the NYT back in November, and once that had happened I knew it wouldn't go away. So, whatever the background to the Newsnight story I am just delighted they did it, and hope they do indeed follow up the other scammers and keep pressure on Government.

Onward.

[Pebble]

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

If I am being too pessimistic, then given that DD, Techno & Lumpy are obviously very committed perhaps clarity on the evidence that would work for you might provide a way forward.



So based on that misreading and bogus assumption you then absurdly conclude
“I assume it follows that unless British lives are proven to be at risk from the GT200, Alpha 6 & Sniffex then no legal proceedings are possible, hence there is insufficient to justify Newsnight making a program on them?” What on earth is the logical basis for that conclusion?” Do you think our determination to get this off the streets of Baghdad is based on concern for British lives? There are hardly any Brits left in Baghdad any more – this is about concern for primarily Iraqi lives.

Anyhow bye bye UK-Skeptics my mistake to think I could usefully engage with you.

Good night and good luck (not that I believe in luck) and definitely good bye.

Meirion

I evidently have a rather irritating way of asking a question!

I was simply making a deduction from this comment:



We set out to do that because we thought that might force the UK government to act quickly (whether for fear of embarrassment or because they needed some hard evidence or whatever others can speculate).

and adding the observation from the program that only where British subjects were at risk 'could' the government intervene.

Aplologies to Meirion, as you think that this was unwarrented! Does that mean we can expect more on the 'me too' devices, I wonder!

[Pebble]

One other point for Meirion, in case you are still reading this thread, I know very little about these devices, other that that which I have read here - but if you want any info on clinical trials with homeopathy etc - I certainly can provide expert input there.

My question was actually innocent, I was simply trying to pragmatically determine, what the pivotal determinants for action were - given that one Newsnight program appeared to achieve what years of effort by others had not.

[techowiz]

In light of very happy recent events I have changed my avatar.
regards

[Admin]

Update from Meirion: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/8481774.stm

[Pebble]

Update from Meirion: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/8481774.stm

Excellent, but highlights the problem - even when told the stuff is useless, those who have reasons for defending their continued use simply lie to the locals. We need to change the law to prevent anyone selling fradulent life endangering crap anywhere in the world - not just where UK citizens might be endangered.

[polomint38]

Excellent, but highlights the problem - even when told the stuff is useless, those who have reasons for defending their continued use simply lie to the locals. We need to change the law to prevent anyone selling fradulent life endangering crap anywhere in the world - not just where UK citizens might be endangered.

Even if we tighten up our laws in UK, they will just market it from somewhere else. :'(

[brianp]

Even if we tighten up our laws in UK, they will just market it from somewhere else. :'(

I wonder if the purveyors of "homeopathic remedies" are beginning to get just a little bit nervous over this ADE 651 hoo-hah. After all, if the government does tighten up the laws on selling goods which are actually useless - like empty plastic boxes purporting to be bomb detectors - it might well be a threat to those who sell bottles of distilled water purporting to be medical remedies.

[techowiz]

The noose is tightening around the scammers. Let's keep up the pressure.
regards

[Dubious Dick]

We also need a bit of attention on ComsTrac (www.comstrac.com) who do the Alpha 6.

Can someone please make a record of their current website showing this clone product under the heading Alpha Detection, in case they decide to delete this.

I am sorry but just cannot devote the time I would like to this any more, so anyone who wants to pass on the details to Newsnight please do.

Thanks and best to all, DD

[Matt]

Their PDF is attached here. The Webpage in question I've archived but the forum software doesn't seem to allow an upload of the zipfile.

It is nonetheless archived here http://web.archive.org/web/20080212084118/http://www.comstrac.com/Alpha6.htm

[Dubious Dick]

Matt,

Thanks for that.

[until_then]

Yes, indeed. I was just thinking about that damn ''Alpha 6'' unscrupulous device. What a hoax! Hope it's ''detected'' for what it really is - SCAM:undecided:

Anyway. One down. More to follow (hopefully). And the quicker, the better.

QUIS CUSTODIET IPSOS CUSTODES - WHO WILL WATCH THE WATCHERS?

[until_then]

Correction. Should have said ''SCUM''.>:-)

[techowiz]

It would seem that the Iraqis have fell out of love with their magic wand device a.k.a. the ADE651, apparently they are buying bomb sniffing dogs faster than the US can train them, see the link for the story:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/world/stories/DN-iraqdogs_05int.ART.State.Edition1.4bc0eab.html

Something about the ADE651 being unreliable;D;D;D

regards

[tolman]

It would seem that the Iraqis have fell out of love with their magic wand device a.k.a. the ADE651, apparently they are buying bomb sniffing dogs faster than the US can train them, see the link for the story:
Something about the ADE651 being unreliable;D;D;D
Surely, we could send them a certain ex-copper who believes absolutely in his product?
I'm sure he could show people on the ground how to make them work.

[Starwatcher]

Hi all. I am new to posting to this site but I have been following the the dowsing rod/contraband detectors for a long time now. I am so happy to see these dangeous devices being exposed. I want to let you guys know about another one comming from Greece. It is called the AL-6D and you can find it on www.DiodeBell.com (http://www.DiodeBell.com) It needs to see a little light of day also. >:D

[Rdx]

Hello DD and everybody.I am also new in this forum.
My country (Thailand) has a problem with the notorious GT200 .We have a cyber community called Pantip.com that posted against these devices for a while.But the Govt. and the Army ignored it.
Until the news of ADE651 and GT200 exposed emerged then all the media turned their faces to this matter and led to the Double blind test as Sandia did in this Valentine's day.
I wish they used 10 boxes up,but they just use only 4.

And I afraid that it may be tricks from the Govt. involving this test ,hope I am wrong.

Can anybody update news about Gary Bolton? Why is he not arrested so all the GT200 users would have been enlightened.

[Rdx]

The GT200 experiment will be held on 14th Feb. Just the field test,no dismantling the device.They said that "It's too expensive" what a lame accuse!

Can you believe that some of user said "Even it has just 30% effectiveness,it's better that nothing to detect bombs"

I really hoped something miraculous happen to save my fellow people from this dumb-pit we live for a long time.

[tolman]

And I afraid that it may be tricks from the Govt. involving this test ,hope I am wrong.
That's always possible, though someone who knew/suspected the devices were fake might be better off letting them fail a test and then saying 'The evil guy (or, even better, evil foreign guy) must have deceived us in his past demonstrations!' than getting inextricably involved in tricks in public if there was a good chance that the scam would be exposed fairly soon elsewhere.

A smart person involved in a scam would presumably have someone junior to blame if things go wrong - 'Yes, I did see part of one demonstration, but most tests and all the the details were handled by my assistant'.

There's a reasonable chance that any fake device will be exposed somewhere sooner rather than later, if there is continued media interest.

[Rdx]

Thanks tolman
you assumed like I thought the Superior would say if things go wrong.
What about Gary Bolton ? Does anybody here know what is his situation now?

[techowiz]

The GT200 experiment will be held on 14th Feb. Just the field test,no dismantling the device.They said that "It's too expensive" what a lame accuse!

Can you believe that some of user said "Even it has just 30% effectiveness,it's better that nothing to detect bombs"

I really hoped something miraculous happen to save my fellow people from this dumb-pit we live for a long time.

Hi RDX,

There was a BBC news programme broadcast in the UK recently, below is the link where you can watch some of that programme. You will see in the programme that they open up a GT200 and find it is completely empty, the link is:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/8481774.stm

As regards Gary Bolton, I am sure the police will be looking at him now and be looking to arrest him along the same lines as the fraudster McCormick.
As you mentioned the Sandia Lab test from 2002, are you aware that the device being tested was also made by BOLTON, the MOLE is the forerunner of the GT200, made by the same company, Global Technical Ltd?
regards

[Rdx]

HI Techowitz

The link you gave me we (Thai people) have already seen it. And some of the GT200 defender admitted via T.V. that they 've known that there is all blank inside.But the users insisted that they don't care if it's scientific or not .They believe that the device works!! So we have to campaign against these devices ,It's very big deal in Thailand so the Prime minister ordered The Minister of Science to conduct the test.

[Rdx]

About the MOLE and GT200 and Alpha 6 etc. we all know the information.The only matter left is to prove them that these devices are hoax. May us have a good luck and win this war.Somebody said that they want foreign reporters come to take this historical news in Thailand.I hope James Randi be there too.

[Rdx]

And I forgot to thank you for replying me,Techowitz ,my apology.

If you have any news about Gary please notify me because some Thai people still think maybe Gary is a super genius to invent this kind of device.Thank you.

[Dubious Dick]

Some ideas for local campaigning:

!. Set up as many blogs as possible on the subject e.g. GT200

2 Publish all known materials about fake explosive detectors copied from existing blogs e.g.

http://explosivedetectorfrauds.blogspot.com/

or the blog that really covers the story: http://sniffexquestions.blogspot.com/

3. Place links on your blog to other blogs on same subject Especially link to:

www.ukskeptics.com (http://www.ukskeptics.com)

and of course

www.randi.com (http://www.randi.com)

The more common links you create the more the campaign will move up the rankings in searches on these scam products. That way anyone who buys them cannot hide from the truth that they do not work in future.

[Admin]

The more common links you create the more the campaign will move up the rankings in searches

Why not simply combine efforts and post content on a website that already has a very good Google ranking?

[Rdx]

Thanks you guys for the advice .Right now we have the web called gt200.org gathered all the news about the device.Mostly written in Thai.I think the world will look at Thailand this Valentine's day for the test.

[Dubious Dick]

Why not simply combine efforts and post content on a website that already has a very good Google ranking?

Like UK Skeptics?

Whatever is the best way to keep the issue far eunough up on searches to have a good chance of deterring people from even considering buying this type of stuff.

Do what John sys if that is going to work better.

[polomint38]

Why not simply combine efforts and post content on a website that already has a very good Google ranking?


Like UK Skeptics?


JJ's march to world domination continues ;D;D

[Admin]

Like UK Skeptics?

Exactly!

I don't know whether there's a skeptics organization in Thailand but if there is, and they have a strong web presence there, it might be a good idea to join them and get the content on their web site where it will also be ranked highly and of course, it will also be seen by people who were searching for other things as well.

The problem with one-issue websites is that even if they do rank highly (and blogs absolutely don't) for the issue in hand, it still relies on people using the appropriate search terms - which is unlikely if they haven't heard of the issue beforehand.

So if there's an existing resource out there that shares your aim, then use them. O0

[Rdx]

This is the detail of the test taking place in Thailand today.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2010/02/13/national/national_30122472.php

[Pebble]

This is the detail of the test taking place in Thailand today.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2010/02/13/national/national_30122472.php

Seems an od set up!

30 Testers - no of attempts not clear, but if assume 1 go each, then unless more than 16 identify the 'bomb' correctly the result would be non significant.

Why so many observers - and are they in the testing area or remote, as if they knew where the 'bomb' was could easily influence the person testing.

Why are these observers different from the 'independent' observers? If not independent does this mean that they have links with the company and have a known bias? If so why are they there.

[Rdx]

http://us.asiancorrespondent.com/bangkok-pundit-blog/no-lab-tests-for-gt200-device

No lab test for the device.

[skbuncks]

This is the detail of the test taking place in Thailand today.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2010/02/13/national/national_30122472.php

SO, how did it perform?

skb

[Rdx]

Finally,The goddess of Luck stand with Thai people

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2010/02/16/national/national_30122695.php

GT200
Bomb detectors fail test



Please spread this news for me so the world will know what is going on. And may English police arrest Gary.

I'm soooooooo happy.

[Admin]

The GT200 will be heavily featured on Newsnight tonight. O0

[Rdx]

The GT200 will be heavily featured on Newsnight tonight. O0
Thanks John Jackson

[Admin]

By the way, Newsnight is a prestigious news programme that goes out to millions of viewers every night in the UK.

[Rdx]

Yes I realized that about Newsnight . Because of their news about ADE651 and GT200, we can accelerated the steps of testing very soon.Thanks to Newsnight.

[Pebble]

Well done Newsnight. Did I miss it or were the conservatives fighting shy on this one? A perfect opportunity for the supposed Government in waiting to put real pressure on the encumbents - yet not a peep! What is it with those who have a real chance of exercising power?

[Dubious Dick]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00qxfpz/Newsnight_16_02_2010/

From 15.07 in in case you did not see it. Quite a good report. I originally wrote to Arbuthnot about GT200 claiming MOD approvals and possible use of a REME base in Kent to carry out demos.

At the time I asked the Clerk of the Defence Select Committee whether more could be done and did not receive an answer.

Still delighted it is all coming out in the open now. Hopefully McCormick and Bolton will be in Court soon, and a proper Worldwide ban applied.

[techowiz]

DD absolutely well done my friend. Sad to see the MP's trying to jump on the bandwagon at this late stage, I, as have many others, have written lots of letters to MP's many without reply.
Another excellent exposure by the BBC newsnight team.
Well done to all involved.
regards

[Rdx]

Thank you everyone that's all I can do,sent the news for you so you can proceed whatever activity to put him in jail.

Right now thailand military units who tested the devices still don't believe in the result so they want to test again, what a shame!

[polomint38]

Here is the appropriate bit of newsnight, taken from Bruce Hood's blog
(http://brucemhood.wordpress.com/2010/02/17/why-oh-why-oh-why-money-methinks/) for all you lucky people not being rained on in UK at the moment.
y_jZhkaL6GQ

[Rdx]

Thailand right now is so chaos about this matter.Really want to know when is the time Gary will stand upfront and defend his precious product.

[techowiz]

Hi RDX,

Found another article by CNN that may be of interest to you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w6VGE-TYS0

regards

[until_then]

Well, well, well. This news sounds V encouraging. What's going on re the Alpha 6 ''so called'' detection system? It's in the same category as the rest of this scummy stuff - right? Hope the guy selling it in north London somewhere pays the price, too. Hmmmmmm .........:ponder:

[techowiz]

Well, well, well. This news sounds V encouraging. What's going on re the Alpha 6 ''so called'' detection system? It's in the same category as the rest of this scummy stuff - right? Hope the guy selling it in north London somewhere pays the price, too. Hmmmmmm .........:ponder:

Anyone near the area this guy (Simon Sherrard) operates from could make an official complaint to the MET regarding fraud.>:D
regards

[until_then]

Anyone near the area this guy (Simon Sherrard) operates from could make an official complaint to the MET regarding fraud.>:D
regards

I am unfortunately not in this Mr. Sherrard's area. Not even in the same country::)
Surely it's possible to sound the alarm and complain to MET without actually being in the area?:alarm:

[techowiz]

I am unfortunately not in this Mr. Sherrard's area. Not even in the same country::)
Surely it's possible to sound the alarm and complain to MET without actually being in the area?:alarm:
Correct, and although I live a long way from the MET area I have made a complaint against Sherrard and his fraudulent Alpha6, more support would probably help push the MET on this though.
regards

[until_then]

Correct, and although I live a long way from the MET area I have made a complaint against Sherrard and his fraudulent Alpha6, more support would probably help push the MET on this though.
regards


Thanks for that.

I'd be willing to try and complain to MET if someone could tell me how to do that. Such as email address or some other way, such as a specific street address.:trumpet:

[techowiz]

The MET have an online crime report form, you could try that, see the linkl:

https://online.met.police.uk/report.php

regards

[techowiz]

The address for Comstrac is:

Contact Information
UK Head Office and General Contact

Communication Tracking Systems
ComsTrac Limited
P.O.Box 33309
London
NW11 6GZ
Tel: +44-208-2018898
Fax: +44-845-2802659

The address for the Director Simon Sherrad is on an earlier page of this thread.
regards

[until_then]

Thanks techowiz. I'll check out the link you left.

Best Regards.;)

[Rdx]

Please send this to your Government.
Gt200 still be used and failed in detecting bomb again.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/169286/bomb-explodes-after-use-of-gt200

[techowiz]

Please send this to your Government.
Gt200 still be used and failed in detecting bomb again.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/169286/bomb-explodes-after-use-of-gt200

Hi RDX,

I've sent the link to the cops in Kent, may get some action from then. The Government would take very little notice I'm afraid.
regards

[Dubious Dick]

This is a post mainly for the attention of our favourite murderous scammers i.e. Jim McCormick of ADE 651 infamy, Gary Bolton of GT200 ignominy, and the supporting cast such as David Vollmar of HEDD1 (aka Sniffex), Simon Sherrard the shadowy figure behind Alpha 6, and the as yet unidentified people with PSD2 plus of course anyone else trying it on with variations on the dowsing rod.

We have some fascinating developments taking place behind the scenes for you boys. If you are not sleeping well already it's just going to get worse and worse. Sweet Dreams you scumbags.

[Rdx]

HEDD1 had been demonstrated in Thailand 10 days ago and failed ridiculously in front of the reporters. Because of the courage of Dr.Jessada who exposed the GT200,Thailand begins to wake up from the nonsense-supernatural society.

[Rdx]

We took it apart and wait to see the whole device has been dismantled soon,The PM has ordered the scientists to take it apart ,I think it is not more two weeks from now.It is fun to see ,though.

http://us.asiancorrespondent.com/bangkok-pundit-blog/gt200-detection-cards-are-taken-apart-in-thailand

[techowiz]

We took it apart and wait to see the whole device has been dismantled soon,The PM has ordered the scientists to take it apart ,I think it is not more two weeks from now.It is fun to see ,though.

http://us.asiancorrespondent.com/bangkok-pundit-blog/gt200-detection-cards-are-taken-apart-in-thailand

Great find RDX, thanks for keeping on top of this for us. Please keep us posted on any other gems you may find.
The youtube video showing the opening of the ridiculous GT200 'detector card', follow the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2E3Gf5p-m4


regards

[techowiz]

I have obtained a confidential Royal Engineer 'Test report' of the MOLE, the predecessor of the ridiculous GT200. Sadly, the Engineers give the MOLE a glowing report, which just goes to show that even the experts can get it very wrong. The report was used by Global Technical on their website, until Dubious Dick complained to the MOD and Global was instructed to remove all reference to it from the web and sales material.
I have posted the report on my blog at:
http://explosivedetectorfrauds.blogspot.com/
regards

[tolman]

Are you sure it's a real report, not a fake one?

If the army actually believed it worked, why wouldn't they have done more testing, or even bought and used some?

[techowiz]

Are you sure it's a real report, not a fake one?

If the army actually believed it worked, why wouldn't they have done more testing, or even bought and used some?

It's real OK, the pages I witheld have all the Army stamps and names of the testers. It is also not disputed by Global Technical.

As to your other questions only the Army can answer them, but I am very glad they didn't.
regards

[Rdx]

The progress of the GT200 exposure.Right now we X-rayed it and about to air it today.
Follow this link you don't have to understand Thai,just look at the pictures.
The PM has ordered the Minister of science to take it apart .I have been waiting to see it.

http://www.pantip.com/cafe/wahkor/topic/X8923249/X8923249.html

[Rdx]

Check this out everyone

The GT200 has been taken apart in front of the media.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46lNXyVmT_Q

Not officially,but it is the real device.Wait for the official test by the scientists.Can you believe that even it failed the test and has been dismantled ,The army still insists to use it.

[Dubious Dick]

The Eye finally cottons on. Better late than never the latest issue has mentioned the ADE 651 and GT200 scandal. (I have twice emailed them with a briefing on the scams which they took no notice of). Anyway, In The Back Issue 1257 titled 'Pete & Dud'.

Apparently Human Rights Watch are on the case as well due to too many innocent people being pulled for false detections.

[tolman]

He's had his bail extended, so is at least currently in the country.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/8634349.stm

[Dubious Dick]

He's had his bail extended, so is at least currently in the country.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/8634349.stm

Well spotted Tolman, and thank you for posting.

Seems I am further and further away fro UKS for personal reasons but delighetd to hear action is still on the cards against McCormick of ATSC and his 'allegedly' useless ADE 651. Unlike the BBC I am not afraid to say openly that there is nothing allegedly uselss about the ADE 651.. It is and always was uselss unless you wanted to use the aerial to pick you nose.

Now all we ant to know is whether Gary Bolton of Global Technical and his equally crap GT 200 are under the same sort of intense Police investigation. Let's hope so, and if not and you have a few minutes to email your MP or Kent Police demanding action then please do. Be a shame if Bolton got off the hook, especially when it is likely that McCormick got the idea from him when they worked together on the MOLE.

As before folks, do please keep up all the great skep work. I hope to re-join the fray one day, but in th emeantime it gives me great hope that you all keep plugging away.

[techowiz]

Not soon after having his bail extended as outlined above, McCormick is still singing the praise of his fake swivel stick. I suppose it was inevitable that he would move his operation to Romania where the ban on exports can be bypassed. See the great man himself at the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0mJxCF_PKQ

I have already posted a comment.
regards

[techowiz]

Sorry to have to tell you but ATSC, the bloody makers of the useless ADE651, have like the ,mythical Phoenix risen again. They have re done their webshite,now you can even apply for a position with them, I don't think honesty and integrity are required. Don't get too excited when you see the section marked 'trials and tests' it is just the same Jim bs allegedly test have been done and documented but kept secret by those that did them.
http://www.atscltd.com/
regards

[Ryoden]

Well done everyone involved, although it's a damn shame when it needs the concerted effort of several concerned citizens to do something that the Government can't be arsed with.

The fact that these company directors can just walk away from what appears fraud at best and corporate man-slaughter at worse is frankly depressing. I bet that even if he is found guilty he will get off with a fine.

[Ryoden]

Not soon after having his bail extended as outlined above, McCormick is still singing the praise of his fake swivel stick. I suppose it was inevitable that he would move his operation to Romania where the ban on exports can be bypassed. See the great man himself at the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0mJxCF_PKQ

I have already posted a comment.
regards

I posted a reply yesterday and got a supporter shouting me down (or a water dowser), I was trying to make a counter reply today showing the various pieces of evidence but utube keeps saying "error try again" when i try to post. I tried another account but it says the same thing, is that normal for utube or am I being blocked?

EDIT - its ok after a bit of searching I found that lots of people have had the same problem all over you tube.

[techowiz]

Hi Ryoden,
I have seen your efforts on Youtube and you are probably dealing with McCormicks cohorts in Romania. I have also added some comments. They know that the ADE cannot detect anything and despite the overwhelming evidence against them they continue to try and say it works.
Well, it is alright for them they are not the ones getting blown to bits by the failure of the ADE, over 250 innocent Iraqis have lost their lives in the last 9 months as a direct result of the ADE651 failing to detect explosives and in the most secure part of Baghdad.
As always the believers always run when the MDC is mentioned as indeed did the idiots on youtube.
If McCormick is charged and convicted they still wont believe it, then they will move onto government conspiracy theories then a whole new can of worms opens.
Many thanks for your support it is most appreciated.
regards

[Ryoden]

Hi Ryoden,
I have seen your efforts on Youtube and you are probably dealing with McCormicks cohorts in Romania. I have also added some comments. They know that the ADE cannot detect anything and despite the overwhelming evidence against them they continue to try and say it works.
Well, it is alright for them they are not the ones getting blown to bits by the failure of the ADE, over 250 innocent Iraqis have lost their lives in the last 9 months as a direct result of the ADE651 failing to detect explosives and in the most secure part of Baghdad.
As always the believers always run when the MDC is mentioned as indeed did the idiots on youtube.
If McCormick is charged and convicted they still wont believe it, then they will move onto government conspiracy theories then a whole new can of worms opens.
Many thanks for your support it is most appreciated.
regards

No problem, happy to fight in the corner of reason vs evil bastard (as I am sure McCormick knows full well what he is doing).

I look forward to the impending court case.

[techowiz]

Hi Ryoden,

Tried to send you a pm but you have the facility turned off.
regards

[Admin]

Here's the latest news from the City of London police (file attached).

It makes for interesting and very welcome reading.

[bindeweede]

I know it has been posted before, but worth a reminder.


Mr McCormick, who served with Merseyside police before becoming managing director of the company ATSC, said that his "highly successful" ADE series was based on a similar principle to dowsing – the belief that certain types of woods can detect water underground. He said before his arrest: "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."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/inquiry-into-sale-of-fake-bomb-detectors-expanded-1994769.html

[shimself]

I dont want to steal the thunder from the 2 posts above, but I think it's helpful to say the GOOD NEWS STORY is that yesterday June 8 the police raided 5 places associated with this scam

"DATE:`Jun 8 2010

City of London Police takes action on suspect bomb detectors
Officers from the City of London Police investigating the fraudulent selling of bomb and substance detection equipment have today (June 8) carried out a number of searches in Devon, Kent and Nottinghamshire.

The force’s Overseas Anti-Corruption Unit (OACU) executed five search warrants at three residential and two business premises of Global Tech Ltd in Kent, Grosvenor Scientific Ltd in Devon and Scandec Inc. in Nottingham." ....

click on the links above for more info

[techowiz]

Just when the scammers thought it was safe to crawl out from under the rocks, this goes and happens. Could not have happened to a nastier bunch.;D
regards

[until_then]

I dont want to steal the thunder from the 2 posts above, but I think it's helpful to say the GOOD NEWS STORY is that yesterday June 8 the police raided 5 places associated with this scam

"DATE:`Jun 8 2010

City of London Police takes action on suspect bomb detectors
Officers from the City of London Police investigating the fraudulent selling of bomb and substance detection equipment have today (June 8) carried out a number of searches in Devon, Kent and Nottinghamshire.

The force’s Overseas Anti-Corruption Unit (OACU) executed five search warrants at three residential and two business premises of Global Tech Ltd in Kent, Grosvenor Scientific Ltd in Devon and Scandec Inc. in Nottingham." ....

click on the links above for more info
Pity they didn't raid the infamous location in North London. Finchley area, I think it is.

until_then