U K Invites Thai Team To Testify As Victim In Gt200, Alpha 6 Bomb Detectors Scam

[Maestro]

Already in January 2010 the UK government banned the export of these bomb detectors, previously sold by McCormick to Iraq with the brand name ADE-651

Page last updated at 16:56 GMT, Friday, 22 January 2010

Export ban for useless 'bomb detector'
By Caroline Hawley and Meirion Jones
BBC Newsnight

The UK government has announced a ban on the export to Iraq and Afghanistan of some so-called "bomb detectors".

It follows an investigation by the BBC's Newsnight programme which found that one type of "detector" made by a British company cannot work.

The Iraqi government has spent $85m on the ADE-651 and there are concerns that they have failed to stop bomb attacks that have killed hundreds of people.

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8471187.stm

-- BBC 2010-01-22

[Maestro]

A video clip uploaded to YouTube by James Randi, who is mentioned in the above BBC report, on 23 January 2010:

[steveyinasia]

I can only image how much back peddling and finger pointing will be going on amongst the "Generals" now that these this have finally been deemed as fakes. How much in under the table was paid to these genius's for their part in this joke?

[corkythecat]

Is there any reporting in any of the local media ?

Edited April 25, 2013 by corkythecat

[webfact]

Army chief urges the public stop criticizing GT200 fraud

BANGKOK, 25 April 2013 (NNT) – Thailand's army chief general Prayuth Chan-ocha has asked the public to stop making comments or criticisms about the controversial bomb detector GT200 procurement.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/635208-thai-army-chief-urges-the-public-to-stop-criticizing-gt200-fraud/

[Thai at Heart]

Funny this.

They will accept a certificate for this, but the fda of Thailand won't accept European testing on products.

[KunMatt]

Wow, it is astonishing that anybody bought even one of these devices;

The GT200 consists of three main components—a swivelling antenna mounted via a hinge to a plastic handgrip, into which sensor cards can be inserted. It requires no battery or other power source and is said to be powered solely by the user's static electricity. The device becomes active when the operator starts moving and detects various substances via "DIA/PARA magnetism"

Promotional material issued about the GT200 claims that it can detect a wide variety of items including ammunition, explosives, drugs, gold, ivory, currency, tobacco and "human bodies" at ranges of up to 700 metres (2,300 ft) on the surface, depths of up to 60 metres (200 ft) underground or under 800 metres (2,600 ft) of water, or even from aircraft at an altitude of up to 4 kilometres (2.5 mi)

After they bought these devices didn't they think of conducting some tests on the working parameters of the detector so they could know how to train the people who would be using them? At that point during testing or training surely they would realise that the device does not actually work in any way or, if not then, obviously after 5 years of useless readings and multiple fatalities caused by the ineffectiveness of this device then they would realise they are just expensive sticks? Surely? No??

I can find at least 5 occasions where the device was used in real life scenarios to search for bombs and after an all clear was given the undetected bomb detonated. After the first time wouldn't somebody question the reliability of the device or at least question if it was being used in the correct way? No??

There are also hundreds of false positives where hundreds of (probably innocent) people have been jailed because of these sticks. No official questioned whether it was down to the device rather than the hundreds of people who were unlinked to any bombings? No??

It really is quite astonishing that everything above continued for 5 years without 1 person having the logical thinking or balls to question whether a magic contraband detecting stick really works and if so why are all of these people dying from bombs once the magic stick has been used.

[belg]

so thailand spent 400 million baht on this joke and none of them cared to open one to see what was inside ? niceeeeeeeeezzz...

[bangon04]

"We may also ask for the delivery of evidence in the future."

So it hasn't been a complete waste , then?

[Jim walker]

If something sounds too good to be true, then it usually is. I am sure the various magnificent military departments might have learnt a simple lesson from this fiasco, like plug it in and switch it on and test it on real explosives and ivory and people etc.’

[chas39]

Come on. Be fair. The company did have glossy brochures.

[Dr Wanchai]

So? How much was involved this time and who are the Thai people (experts) responsible for due diligence as to their actual ability to 'detect'? That at least should lead DSI to the money trail as to who got paid.

The criminal here is the British person, and you all are making it look like the Thais are to blame. You surely stick up for your own kind and down playing his crime. Innit ?

Is this what you call cricket ??

[wiyada]

I think the whole thing is quite funny.

Any device that can find drugs, people, ivory and explosives from a distance must be suspect. One can only assume that no one actually cared if they work or not, as long as the cash was in their pocket. Either that, or the top brass are simpletons of the first order, who shouldn't be trusted with a floormop.

I don't think those who died relying on the device or all those innocent people that got jailed for the machines supposed results will be of the same mind as you nor the average Thai who once again got ripped off.

[simple1]

So? How much was involved this time and who are the Thai people (experts) responsible for due diligence as to their actual ability to 'detect'? That at least should lead DSI to the money trail as to who got paid.

The criminal here is the British person, and you all are making it look like the Thais are to blame. You surely stick up for your own kind and down playing his crime. Innit ?

Is this what you call cricket ??

Sure the vendor is a criminal fraudster, but so is the company (majority Thai owned?) in Thailand who acted as his distributor/reseller. You can also logically state the Thai personnel in the various departments who purchased and deployed the product are not just negligent, but traitors to their own people who have been killed or injured due to the device being used operationally.

From your many posts negating foreigners it's about time for you to acknowledge the endemic corruption in Thailand that causes so many negative flow on effects for the people of Thailand, such as this case.

[bangkokheat]

traitors indeed simple 1, and they should be tried as such, perhaps that will send a shockwave thru thailand, if not the world, disgusting bastards, another negative tick for thailand

[Thai at Heart]

So? How much was involved this time and who are the Thai people (experts) responsible for due diligence as to their actual ability to 'detect'? That at least should lead DSI to the money trail as to who got paid.

The criminal here is the British person, and you all are making it look like the Thais are to blame. You surely stick up for your own kind and down playing his crime. Innit ?

Is this what you call cricket ??

Yes, they also have a global problem with corruption in cricket I hear.

[atyclb]

I am astounded and amazed by Pornthip's siding with the effectiveness of the devices.

Pornthip is no ones fool, a very clever, "outside the box' woman well learned in the scientific method. Unless I am mistaken, she completed residency training in pathology at Walter Reade Hospital in USA.

[Payboy]

UK invites Thai team to testify as victim in GT200, Alpha 6 scam

It really working in Thailand milord, Thai bomb not same-same Inglaaand.

[Thai at Heart]

I am astounded and amazed by Pornthip's siding with the effectiveness of the devices.

Pornthip is no ones fool, a very clever, "outside the box' woman well learned in the scientific method. Unless I am mistaken, she completed residency training in pathology at Walter Reade Hospital in USA.

Well the evidence would tend to suggest otherwise, m'Lord. She is a tool to be called on when needed.

[Suradit69]

So? How much was involved this time and who are the Thai people (experts) responsible for due diligence as to their actual ability to 'detect'? That at least should lead DSI to the money trail as to who got paid.

So these things were marketed at trade fairs "backed by UK government departments," hundreds of people may have died because of the fraud and he (the former UK policeman) may get up to 8 years in prison. A bit of wrist slapping (or back slapping).

"Also in January, the United Kingdom banned the export of the detectors to Iraq and Afghanistan, while arresting a former British police officer ..."

"McCormick, who faces up to eight years in jail when he is sentenced next month, also sold the detectors to Niger, Syria, Mexico and other countries including Lebanon where a United Nations agency was a client."

" A jury at the Old Bailey found Jim McCormick, 57, from near Taunton, Somerset, guilty

on three counts of fraud over a scam that included the sale of £55m of

devices based on a novelty golfball finder to Iraq. They were installed at

checkpoints in Baghdad through which car bombs and suicide bombers passed,

killing hundreds of civilians. Last month they remained in use at checkpoints across the Iraqi

capital.

The court heard the devices had been marketed at international trade fairs that were backed

by UK government departments."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/apr/23/somerset-business-guilty-fake-bombs

Edited April 25, 2013 by Suradit69

[MobileContent]

So? How much was involved this time and who are the Thai people (experts) responsible for due diligence as to their actual ability to 'detect'? That at least should lead DSI to the money trail as to who got paid.

The criminal here is the British person, and you all are making it look like the Thais are to blame. You surely stick up for your own kind and down playing his crime. Innit ?

Is this what you call cricket ??

The English guy is a crook of course but he seem t have sold the devices for 400 million Baht to Thailand and the Thai distributor sold it for around 1100 million Baht.

The Thai distributor should have tested the device but to much money was involved.

TIT

[Markaew]

Imagine that. Thailand getting scammed.

[maidu]

The prices various Thai agencies paid for the bogus Alpha 6 item varied between Bt.424,000 and Bt.1.85 million.

Data below is culled from today's article in Nation newspaper

Purchases of GT200 and Alpha 6 devices by 13 government agencies and provincial administrations (Agencies/from company/numbers of unit/unit price/dates of purchase)

1. The Department of the Provincial Administration/Jackson Electronics (Thailand)/which purchases 63 Alpha 6 units at Bt530,952 apiece in March 2009

2. Yala provincial authorities/UCG Engineering/17 Alpha 6 units/Bt1,850,588/August 2009

3. Phitsanulok provincial authorities/M Land Darch/1 Alpha 6 unit/Bt1,647,800/May 2008

4. Phuket provincial authorities/UCG/2 Alpha 6 units/Bt550,000/July 2009

5. The Customs Department/AVA Satcom/6 GT200 units/Bt426,666.66/June 2009

6. Sing Buri police/UCG/6 GT200 units/Bt550,000/February 2009

7. Chainat police/AVA/1 GT200 unit/Bt550,000/unknown date

8. Songkhla provincial administrative organisation/UCG/5 GT200 units/Bt999,000/March 2009

9. Phetchaburi provincial authorities/UCG/1 GT200 unit/Bt850,000/September 2009

10. The Office of Narcotics Control Board/
Jackson/10 Alpha 6 units/Bt424,800/July 2008
Jackson/5 Alpha 6 units/Bt424,800/August 2008

11. Central Institute of Forensic Science Thailand
AVA/1 GT200 unit/Bt1,120,000/December 2007
AVA/1 GT200 unit/Bt1,120,000/September 2008
AVA/4 GT200 units/Bt1,120,000/January 2009
ASLM Traiding/2 Alpha 6 units/Bt447,000/December 2008

12. Armed Forces Security Centre Jackson/8 Alpha 6 units/Bt1,300,000/August 2009

13. The Army’s Ordnance Department/AVA/747 GT200 units in 12 purchases/unknown dates/ At various unit prices of Bt1,250,000, of Bt950,000, of Bt1,291,304.35, and of Bt900,000

Maidu's comment: at least 13 Thai agencies got duped, paying tens of millions of baht for a completely bogus item. If any of the agencies did any independent studies, the they failed there also, unless they knowingly paid ridiculous amounts for bogus items. No matter how you slice it, Thai bureaucracy screwed up majorly. Don't expect them to add to add anything to scientific discussions at an investigation.

[KunMatt]

The prices various Thai agencies paid for the bogus Alpha 6 item varied between Bt.424,000 and Bt.1.85 million.

Data below is culled from today's article in Nation newspaper

Purchases of GT200 and Alpha 6 devices by 13 government agencies and provincial administrations (Agencies/from company/numbers of unit/unit price/dates of purchase)

1. The Department of the Provincial Administration/Jackson Electronics (Thailand)/which purchases 63 Alpha 6 units at Bt530,952 apiece in March 2009

2. Yala provincial authorities/UCG Engineering/17 Alpha 6 units/Bt1,850,588/August 2009

3. Phitsanulok provincial authorities/M Land Darch/1 Alpha 6 unit/Bt1,647,800/May 2008

4. Phuket provincial authorities/UCG/2 Alpha 6 units/Bt550,000/July 2009

5. The Customs Department/AVA Satcom/6 GT200 units/Bt426,666.66/June 2009

6. Sing Buri police/UCG/6 GT200 units/Bt550,000/February 2009

7. Chainat police/AVA/1 GT200 unit/Bt550,000/unknown date

8. Songkhla provincial administrative organisation/UCG/5 GT200 units/Bt999,000/March 2009

9. Phetchaburi provincial authorities/UCG/1 GT200 unit/Bt850,000/September 2009

10. The Office of Narcotics Control Board/

Jackson/10 Alpha 6 units/Bt424,800/July 2008

Jackson/5 Alpha 6 units/Bt424,800/August 2008

11. Central Institute of Forensic Science Thailand

AVA/1 GT200 unit/Bt1,120,000/December 2007

AVA/1 GT200 unit/Bt1,120,000/September 2008

AVA/4 GT200 units/Bt1,120,000/January 2009

ASLM Traiding/2 Alpha 6 units/Bt447,000/December 2008

12. Armed Forces Security Centre Jackson/8 Alpha 6 units/Bt1,300,000/August 2009

13. The Army’s Ordnance Department/AVA/747 GT200 units in 12 purchases/unknown dates/ At various unit prices of Bt1,250,000, of Bt950,000, of Bt1,291,304.35, and of Bt900,000

Maidu's comment: at least 13 Thai agencies got duped, paying tens of millions of baht for a completely bogus item. If any of the agencies did any independent studies, the they failed there also, unless they knowingly paid ridiculous amounts for bogus items. No matter how you slice it, Thai bureaucracy screwed up majorly. Don't expect them to add to add anything to scientific discussions at an investigation.

Your list shows the price that government bought the devices from the local Thai agent for. The Thai agent bought them from the UK company for much less than it sold them on for (about a third of the price I believe), so the agencies didn't get scammed, they made the most money from this scam/hoax (along with whatever kickbacks to officials).

Whether the agencies and officials knew the devices were fake is another matter.

[oldsailor35]

OK, let them testify, and at the same time name the person or minister responsible for buying these stupid tools be named and also make sure the Brits disclose just how much was paid to the persons concerned to push the deal through. One tiny nail in the coffin of corruption.

[oldsailor35]

Iraqi General Jihad al-Jabiri is in jail because he approved the purchase of these fake bomb detectors. Where is General Prayuth today

The RTA will not admit to anything due to avoiding "Loss of face" but now the whole of the Thai nation will have to suffer loss of face. Thailand will be the joke of the world and considered first rate fools.

Edited April 26, 2013 by oldsailor35

[oldsailor35]

To be fair to the Thai authorities, they weren't the only ones taken in. These devices were used in Iraq and Afghanistan. Private Eye have been reporting on this for years.

There's going to be a highly entertaining display of Olympic-standard arse covering.

Right up there alongside other 3rd world countries !

[oldsailor35]

It is good to see the DSI investigating this, and I'd hope-against-hope that the NAAC would prosecute the guilty, and not just some low-level fall-guy either.

Who are the NAAC?

NACC National Anti-Corruption Commission

Who are supposed to represent and protect the nation as a whole.

[oldsailor35]

The guy should be given an award for selling cr@p into Thailand!

I wonder if he managed to sell it to the Chinese too?

Offer a big enough "back hander" and you will sell anything in Thailand.

[oldsailor35]

So? How much was involved this time and who are the Thai people (experts) responsible for due diligence as to their actual ability to 'detect'? That at least should lead DSI to the money trail as to who got paid.

The criminal here is the British person, and you all are making it look like the Thais are to blame. You surely stick up for your own kind and down playing his crime. Innit ?

Is this what you call cricket ??

Did'nt know that they were bought for the RTA by the British ?