One Wing Plane Landing - Best Air Race Pilot Ever Video

Summary:
Video supposedly shows an air race pilot successfully landing his plane after one wing snapped off during a mid air manoeuvre (Full commentary below).
Status:
Almost certainly false - Probably part of a viral ad campaign for German clothing company killathrill

Example:(Submitted, November 2008)

Subject: Fw: Wing breaks off stunt plane Best pilot EVER!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRCbkBfdBrQ

Commentary:
This video, supposedly depicting a skilled pilot's miraculous landing after one wing snapped off his aircraft during a mid air stunt, is rapidly circulating via email and online. Some viewers apparently believe that the video is genuine footage of a real incident. However, many commentators suggest that all is not what it seems to be. The landing sequence, especially, looks decidedly suspect and most probably depicts a remote control plane rather than a full sized aircraft. The video is almost certainly the result of clever editing and manipulation with full sized and remote controlled aircraft.

The supposed pilot of the aircraft has been identified as one James Andersson. Andersson has his own website which discusses his alleged prowess as a pilot. The site even features an interview in which "Jimmy" talks about the lost wing landing incident. However, there is strong evidence to suggest that both the one winged landing video and and the pilot's website are part of an elaborate advertising scheme launched by German fashion design company killathrill. The killathrill brand name features prominently on the stricken aircraft, supposedly as Andersson's sponsor. The pilot also wears a killathrill jacket during his "interview" about the incident.

The WhoIs record for the domain, jamesandersson.com lists the registrant as one Sandra Thielecke and includes a killathrill.com email address. It seems more than a coincidence that Sandra Thielecke is in turn listed on the killathrill website as the company's geschäftsführerin (female managing director). And, in spite of James Andersson's supposedly long involvement with stunt flying and air races, there is seemingly no mention of his past deeds other than on his own website and in comments related to the video itself. The WhoIs record also reveals that the domain was only registered in September 2008.

Moreover, if genuine, such a compelling piece of footage would have almost certainly been prominently featured in TV news shows around the world. Instead, it apparently only made it to YouTube.

Thus, it seems very likely that the video and the related website are yet another clandestine advertising campaign aimed at raising the profile of a particular company, in this case, killathrill. Such "viral" advertising videos are a new trend in online marketing and have proved very successful for other companies. A Dutch travel company has used another "amazing" aircraft landing video as part of a viral advertising campaign. A video supposedly showing cell phones making popcorn was later revealed to be an ad for Bluetooth headsets. And a "scary" video of an elevator ghost turned out to be a promotion by a consultancy company in Singapore.

In time, killathrill, like other companies who have pulled such stunts, is likely to "own up" and further reap the benefits of its creations. Meanwhile, the video will continue to circulate, generating much intense debate as to its veracity and affording killathrill a great deal of free publicity.

from:http://www.hoax-slayer.com/one-wing-plane-landing-video.shtml

Door To Hell Gas Fire Photographs

Summary:
Message claims that attached photographs depict a gas filled crater that has been burning continually for more than 35 years(Full commentary below).
Status:
Photographs are genuine - Description may be true but is largely unsubstantiated

Example:(Submitted, November 2008) Subject: FW: Door To Hell

Door to hell

This place in Uzbekistan is called by locals "The Door to Hell". It is situated near the small town of Darvaz. The story of this place lasts already for 35 years. Once the geologists were drilling for gas. Then suddenly during the drilling they have found an underground cavern, it was so big that all the drilling site with all the equipment and camps got deep deep under the ground.

None dared to go down there because the cavern was filled with gas. So they ignited it so that no poisonous gas could come out of the hole, and since then, it's burning, already for 35 years without any pause. Nobody knows how many tons of excellent gas has been burned for all those years but it just seems to be infinite there.









Commentary:
This message, which circulates via email, blogs and online communities, claims that these spectacular photographs show a large crater filled with natural gas that has been burning continual for three decades. Research indicates that the photographs are genuine and such a burning gas crater does exist, although concrete and verifiable details about its history and current status are somewhat elusive.

The "Door to Hell", is indeed near the settlement of Darvaza as stated in the message. However, Darvaza is located in Turkmenistan, not Uzbekistan. Both Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are in the same region of central Asia. Turkmenistan has one of the largest gas reserves in the world.

Although, Darvaza, and Turkmenistan itself, are off the major tourist routes and tend to be visited by only the more adventurous travelers, a number of photographs of the burning gas pit have made their way onto the Internet. The photographs included above appear to be part of a series taken by John Bradley during a trip to the region in 2007. The same photographs appear in a post on EnglishRussia.com and on many other websites. Other photographs showing the pit in daylight hours are available on photo-sharing website, flickr. The following YouTube video also offers views of the burning crater:

According to this version of the message, the fire has been burning for thirty five years, implying that the accident described occurred in the 1970's. Some sources put the date of the initial accident back to the 1950's. Most references claim that the burning pit is the remains of a giant underground cavern that collapsed during exploration and was then purposely ignited as a means of burning off escaping gas. However, there appears to be little information available that provides a detailed description of the cavern collapse and the circumstances surrounding it. Writer and blogger Joshua Kucera notes:

One of the coolest things I did in Turkmenistan was to visit the Darvaza burning gas crater. This is in the middle of nowhere, about a three-hour drive through the desert north of Ashgabat.

It's 60 meters in diameter and was apparently created sometime in the 50s when the Soviets were prospecting for natural gas in this area. That’s all the guidebook says, and when we got there I asked my guide for a more complete explanation. So, how exactly was this made, I asked. "It was natural," was the answer. So, I still don’t know. If anyone has any information I’d be very grateful to hear it.

I would likewise be grateful to find out more concrete details about Darvaza's burning pit. If you know of such details, please let me know.

References:
TURKMENISTAN AT A GLANCE
Turkmenistan Gas Field Is One of World's Largest
Turkmenistan - Darvaza - Burning Gas Craters
Darvaz: The Door to Hell
flickr - turkmenistan
Fire! Fire!: Darvaza

from:http://www.hoax-slayer.com/door-to-hell.shtml

Home in A Garbage Truck

Summary:
Email forward claims that attached photographs depict a garbage truck converted into a mobile home (Full commentary below).
Status:
Photographs are genuine but vehicle is not actually a converted garbage truck

Example:(Submitted, October 2008) Subject: This guy lives in a garbage truck!

Not sure if I have sent this one on would'nt mind living in one myself.

This guy lives in a garbage truck....you have to see it!

This is wild!!!!!

He lives in a garbage truck! You have to look at this house!




















Commentary:
According to this email forward, a series of attached images show a garbage truck that has been converted into a very neat and serviceable mobile home. Some commentators have suggested that the images are faked and that the interior photographs do not actually show the truck shown in the exterior shots. Observant doubters have pointed out that the windows clearly visible in the interior shots cannot be seen in those showing the truck's exterior.

The truck shown in the photographs, and other similar such vehicles, do in fact exist. However, in spite of the appearance of the vehicle shown in the photographs it is not actually a converted garbage truck. In fact it is a purpose built mobile home. The vehicles are made by UNICAT, a company based in Europe that now also has an American branch.

The particular model shown in the photographs is designated as the "EX63-HDM / MAN TGA 6x6". The series of photographs included in the email can be viewed on the UNICAT website, along with many other photographs. This model has a roof that lowers snugly over the windows when travelling thus explaining the apparent mystery of the disappearing windows.

UNICATAmericas explains its philosophy as follows:

Our Philosophy: "Explore without boundaries"

There are many RV's that will ably go anywhere where there are roads and even more SUV's, trucks, motorcycles, dune buggies, ATV's, etc. that will take you off-road. UNICAT bridges the gap by providing the highest comfort levels of an RV with a go anywhere ability of off-road vehicles.

UNICAT produces some truly amazing vehicles and the company can fully customize them to suit the needs of individual customers. However, getting yourself in one will set you back a sizable chunk of cash with the Amerigo models starting out at half a million dollars.

References:
UNICAT
UNICATAmericas
UNICAT: EX63-HDM / MAN TGA 6x6 Photos
EX63-HD / MAN M 4x4 Specs
Elgan: Here comes the digital nomad dream vehicle

from:http://www.hoax-slayer.com/garbage-truck-home.shtml

Fidel Castro Sector Zero Virus Warning

Summary:
Email forward written in Spanish warns that clicking links in messages about the death of Fidel Castro can download a virus. It also warns that opening an email attachment with the name 'El Autentico Pez Polla' can launch a virus that can destroy the hard drive on the infected computer (Full commentary below).
Status:
Mingles some truthful information with a variant of an old virus hoax

Example:
(The original version of this message is in Spanish. The Spanish version is included below the following English translation. The text was translated by Hoax-Slayer visitor Ebe, who submitted the original example for analysis in October 2008)

English Translation:

Subject: Urgent – New virus

URGENT!

Be very careful with an email that started last night, about the death of Fidel Castro, where it says it will show pictures and videos…. Taking advantage of our morbid human nature it will invite you to open a link with the advertisement of two important news agencies… Don't do it! If you do, a virus disguised as a legal antivirus will be downloaded, it was just announced.

Please send this email to your friends, family, contacts. In the next days you have to pay attention: do not open an email with an attachment called "The authentic chick fish", no matter who is sending it. This is a virus that will open a port in windows that will "eat" all your C hard drive in your computer. This virus will come from a person you know and you were in this person's contact list.

That's why you have to resend this email to all of your contacts. It's better to receive this email 25 times than to receive the virus and open it. If you receive the email called "The authentic chick fish", even if a friend sent it, don't open it and turn off your computer immediately. It's the worst virus announced by the CNN. A new virus has been discovered recently, that has been classified by Microsoft as the most destructive virus ever. This virus was discovered yesterday by McAfee. And they don't know yet how to fight it. This virus simply destroy the Sector Zero of the Hard Drive, where the crucial information is saved.

SEND THIS EMAIL TO WHOM TO KNOW, COPY THIS TO A NEW EMAIL AND SEND IT TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS. REMEMBER: IF YOU SEND IT TO THEM, ALL OF US WILL BENEFIT.

Original Spanish version:

*Subject:* FW: URGENTEEEEEEEE NUEVO VIRUS

**_URGENTE !!!!!!!_**

TENGAN MUCHO CUIDADO CON UN CORREO QUE EMPEZO ANOCHE , SOBRE UN ANUNCIO DE LA MUERTE DE FIDEL CASTRO DONDE PROMETEN MOSTRAR VIDEOS Y FOTOS SOBRE ESTE ACONTECIMIENTO. .. APROVECHANDO LA POSIBLE MORBOSIDAD DE LOS SERES HUMANOS INVITA A ENTRAR A UN LINK ANUNCIADO POR DOS IMPORTANTES AGENCIAS DE NOTICIAS **/_NOOOOOOOOO LO HAGAS_/** !!!!! AL HACERLO SE TE DESCARGARA UN MALWARE DISFRAZADO DE SOFTWARE LEGAL, ES UN POTENTE VIRUS ,LO ACABAN DE ANUNCIAR.

POR FAVOR, HACER CIRCULAR ESTE AVISO ENTRE AMIGOS, FAMILIA, CONTACTOS!!En los próximos días, deben estar atentos: No abran ningún mensaje con un archivo anexo llamado 'EL AUTENTICO PEZ POLLA', independientemente de quien se lo envíe. Es un virus que 'abre' un puerto especifico de windows que se ' Come ' todo el disco duro C dela computadora. Este virus vendrá de una persona conocida que te tenia en su lista de direcciones. Es por eso que debes enviar este mail a todos tus contactos. Es preferible recibir 25 veces este mensaje que recibir elvirus y abrirlo. Si recibes el correo llamado EL 'AUTENTICO PEZ POLLA',aunque sea enviado por un amigo, no lo abras y apaga tu maquina inmediatamente. Es el peor virus anunciado por CNN.

Un nuevo virus ha sido descubierto recientemente que ha sido clasificado por Microsoft como el virus mas destructivo que haya existido. Este virus fue descubierto ayer por la tarde por McAfee. Y no hay arreglo aun para esta clase de virus. Este virus destruye simplemente el Sector Zero del Disco Duro, donde la información vital de su función es guardada.

ENVIA ESTE E-MAIL A QUIENES CONOZCAS COPIA ESTE CORREO A UNO NUEVO Y MANDALO A TODOS TUS AMIGOS Y RECUERDA : SI LO ENVIAS A ELLOS , NOS BENEFICIAS A TODOS.

Commentary:
This virus warning email claims that messages about the supposed death of Cuban leader Fidel Castro contain links to a malicious website that can download a virus to the user's computer. It also claims that an email with the subject "El Autentico Pez Polla" carries a virus that destroys the hard drive on the infected computer and has been classified as the worst virus ever. According to the warning, the virus will "eat" away the C drive and destroy Sector Zero, "where the crucial information is saved".

©iStockphoto.com/Clayton Hansen Several hoax emails falsely claim that a currently circulating computer virus will destroy "Sector Zero" on the infected computer's hard-drive

This warning combines some true, if somewhat outdated, information with a variant of a completely false virus warning hoax that has been circulating for several years. Unfortunately, warnings such as this can be quite confusing for many recipients because they mingle elements of truth with unhelpful misinformation.

The first part of the message warns recipients to watch out for fake news emails claiming that Fidel Castro has died. This part of the message is basically true. A March 2008 post on the Cuba Journal blog notes:

Castro Emails claiming that ex-Cuban leader Fidel Castro is dead are attempting to spread a worm onto PCs worldwide.

The worm infects PCs by disguising itself as a video of a report bringing news of Castro's death.

"This worm spreads itself in an email message with the subject 'Mala Noticia' (Bad news) and makes reference to the supposed death of Fidel Castro," security firm Panda Labs wrote in its blog.

The supposed video file actually contains a worm and clicking the link in the email takes you to a web page displaying a Spanish report written in 1997 about another Castro death hoax.

However, although this threat was certainly real, it had none of the characteristics of the destructive virus described in the message. The worm was designed to download information stealing trojan components to the infected computer and spread itself via P2P file sharing software. It certainly did not destroy or damage the infected computer's hard drive.

Moreover, the bulk of its distribution occurred earlier in 2008 and there is no information to suggest that is again being distributed at the time of writing. That said, malware distribution tactics are often reused, so Internet users would be wise to be cautious of "news" emails that claim that famous or infamous people have died. A similar tactic was used in 2005 when trojan emails claimed that Osama Bin Laden had been captured and hanged.

Although the references in the email to the Fidel Castro malware messages are valid, the rest of the information is pure nonsense and should not be taken seriously. It is no more than a mutated and translated version of the Olympic Torch virus hoax that has been circulating since 2006. The following example reveals the strong similarity between the two "warnings":

You should be alert during the next days: Do not open any message with an attached filed called "Invitation" regardless of who sent it. It is a virus that opens an Olympic Torch which "burns" the whole hard disc C of your computer. This virus will be received from someone who has your e-mail address in his/her contact list, that is why you should send this e-mail to all your contacts. It is better to receive this message 25 times than to receive the virus and open it.

If you receive a mail called "invitation", though sent by a friend, do not open it and shut down your computer immediately.

This is the worst virus announced by CNN, it has been classified by Microsoft as the most destructive virus ever. This virus was discovered by McAfee yesterday, and there is no repair yet for this kind of virus. This virus simply destroys the Zero Sector of the Hard Disc, where the vital information is kept. SEND THIS E-MAIL TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW, COPY THIS E-MAIL AND SEND IT TO YOUR FRIENDS AND REMEMBER: IF YOU SEND IT TO THEM, YOU WILL BENEFIT ALL OF US

Moreover, both versions are derived from the even earlier Virtual Card For You hoax.

Unfortunately, recipients who attempt to research this warning before forwarding it may be fooled into believing that all of the information is factual because they have found references that seemingly confirm the first portion of it. However, given that the bulk of the information in the message is false and even the information that is factual is now outdated, forwarding the message will serve only to spread misinformation and clutter inboxes.

References:
Fidel Castro death news hoax and virus
W32/FakeDeath.A.worm
Osama Bin Laden Virus Emails
Olympic Torch Invitation Virus Hoax
Virtual Card For You Virus Hoax

from:http://www.hoax-slayer.com/fidel-castro-sector-zero-virus-hoax.shtml

General Cosgrove Radio Interview Hoax

Summary:
Message claims that Australia’s General Peter Cosgrove made a remark about a female interviewer being "equipped to be a prostitute" during an interview on ABC radio (Full commentary below).
Status:
False

Example:(Submitted, January 2008)

For those that don't know him, Major General Peter Cosgrove is an "Australian treasure!"

General Cosgrove was interviewed on the radio recently. You'll love his reply to the lady who interviewed him concerning guns and children. Regardless of how you feel about gun laws you gotta love this! This is one of the best comeback lines of all time. It is a portion of an ABC interview between a female broadcaster and General Cosgrove who was about to sponsor a Boy Scout Troop visiting his military headquarters.

FEMALE INTERVIEWER:
So, General Cosgrove, what things are you going to teach these young boys when they visit your base?

GENERAL COSGROVE:
We're going to teach them climbing, canoeing, archery and shooting.

FEMALE INTERVIEWER:
Shooting! That's a bit irresponsible, isn't it?

GENERAL COSGROVE:
I don't see why, they'll be properly supervised on the rifle range.

FEMALE INTERVIEWER:
Don't you admit that this is a terribly dangerous activity to be teaching children?

GENERAL COSGROVE:
I don't see how. We will be teaching them proper rifle discipline before they even touch a firearm.

FEMALE INTERVIEWER:
But you're equipping them to become violent killers.

GENERAL COSGROVE:
Well, Ma'am, you're equipped to be a prostitute, but you're not one, are you?

The radio went silent and the interview ended.

Commentary:
This message supposedly includes a transcript of an interview featuring General Peter Cosgrove broadcast on an ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) radio program. When taken to task by the female interviewer for plans to allow a group of visiting Scouts to participate in a shooting exercise, General Cosgrove supposedly delivers a caustically sexist comeback line that silences her criticism and terminates the interview.

In reality, no such interview ever took place nor did Cosgrove ever make such a remark.

General Peter Cosgrove

The story is an Australianized version of an earlier US based story that had a certain "General Reinwald" of the US Marines as the one delivering the killer line. The US version (example included below) claimed that General Reinwald made the remark during an interview with a female reporter broadcast on NPR (National Public Radio). However, NPR has denied that any such interview was ever broadcast and there are no records of a General Reinwald serving in the US armed forces. "General Reinwald" is nothing more than a fictional character invented to give an American orientation to an even older version of the story.

Well before the "General Reinwald" story began circulating, a Welsh based version had already been posted online. The Welsh version (example included below) simply featured "Mr. Jones", a leader of a youth club, as the one who delivered the sexist remark and made no mention of Generals or Scouts. In fact, incarnations of this old joke have been posted on innumerable websites, blogs and forums in several countries for a number of years. Some versions mention other youth groups such as the Devil Pups rather than Scouts.

Unlike earlier versions of the joke, the Australian variant names a real person. By falsely claiming that Peter Cosgrove made such an overtly sexist and inflammatory remark, the joke unfairly tarnishes the reputation of a highly respected and honourable man. General Peter Cosgrove is a high-profile, and much admired, member of the Australian community who had a distinguished army career that culminated in his appointment as Chief of the Defence Force in 2002. Cosgrove retired from the army in 2005 but has certainly not disappeared from public life. He played a pivotal role as leader of the aid and recovery effort after Cyclone Larry devastated areas of far north Queensland in March 2006.

US "General Reinwald" Version:

Subject: Greatest comeback line

Marine Corp's General Reinwald was interviewed on the radio the other day and you have to read his reply to the lady who interviewed him concerning guns and children. Regardless of how you feel about gun laws you gotta love this!!!! This is one of the best comeback lines of all time. It is a portion of National Public Radio (NPR) interview between a female broadcaster and US Marine Corps General Reinwald who was about to sponsor a Boy Scout Troop visiting his military installation.

FEMALE INTERVIEWER:
So, General Reinwald, what things are you going to teach these young boys when they visit your base?

GENERAL REINWALD:
We're going to teach them climbing, canoeing, archery, and shooting.

FEMALE INTERVIEWER:
Shooting! That's a bit irresponsible, isn't it?

GENERAL REINWALD:
I don't see why, they'll be properly supervised on the rifle range.

FEMALE INTERVIEWER:
Don't you admit that this is a terribly dangerous activity to be teaching children?

GENERAL REINWALD:
I don't see how. We will be teaching them proper rifle discipline before they even touch a firearm.

FEMALE INTERVIEWER:
But you're equipping them to become violent killers.

GENERAL REINWALD:
Well, Ma'am, you're equipped to be a prostitute, but you're not one, are you?

The radio went silent and the interview ended.

You gotta love the Marines!

Welsh youth club leader version:

Excerpt from a recent live radio interview on one of the regional Welsh stations:

A female newscaster is interviewing the leader of a Youth club:
Interviewer:- So, Mr. Jones, what are you going to do with these children on this adventure holiday?

Jones:- We're going to teach them climbing, abseiling, canoeing, archery, shooting...

Interviewer:- Shooting! That's a bit irresponsible isn't it?

Jones:- I don't see why, they'll be properly supervised on the range.

Interviewer:- Don't you admit that this is a terribly dangerous activity to be teaching children?

Jones:- I don't see how, we will be teaching them proper range discipline before they even touch a firearm.

Interviewer:- But you're equipping them to become violent killers.

Jones:- Well, you're equipped to be a prostitute but you're not one are you?

Needless to say, the interview was terminated almost immediately......

References:
About NPR: The Mythical General Reinwald
General Cosgrove
NPR Interview of USMC General - Email Is Not True
from: http://www.hoax-slayer.com/cosgrove-female-interviewer.shtml

Photobucket MySpace Comment Virus Warning

Summary:
Message claims that a virus that circulates via MySpace comments can delete content in the user's PhotoBucket account and post nude images to his or her friends list (Full commentary below).

Status:
Inaccurate and misleading

Example:(Submitted, January 2008) Subject: Photobucket Virus

PHOTOBUCKET WARNING
THERE IS A VIRUS ON THE INTERNET THAT IS NOW AFFECTING YOUR PHOTOBUCKET ACCOUNT. IT STARTS OFF AS A MYSPACE COMMENT ON YOUR PAGE. THE COMMENT SAYS EXACTLY THIS :

lol have you seen these pics yet? im suprised her myspace didnt get deleted yet for posting pictures like that.

DO NOT CLICK THE LINK THAT FOLLOWS. WHAT HAPPENS IS ONCE YOU CLICK THE LINK IT CAPTURES YOUR COOKIES ON YOUR MACHINE. ONCE IT DOES THAT THE VIRUS WAITS FOR YOU TO LOG INTO YOUR PHOTOBUCKET ACCOUNT AND WILL DELETE ALL OF YOUR IMAGES AND VIDEOS IN YOUR ACCOUNT OR IT WILL POST NUDE PHOTOS ON YOUR ENTIRE FRIENDS LIST.

IF YOU SEE THIS, DO NOT OPEN THE LINK, SIMPLY DELETE THE COMMENT AND TELL YOUR FRIEND THAT THEIR ACCOUNT HAS BEEN PHISHED. LET ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS KNOW. A FEW OF MY FRIENDS HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN ALREADY. REPOST AS: PHOTOBUCKET WARNING

Commentary:
According to this warning message, a "virus" circulating via MySpace can in turn compromise the user's Photobucket account. The message claims that clicking a link in a bogus MySpace comment allows the virus to take control of the user's Photobucket account and delete all images and videos or post nude photos to everyone on his or her friends list.

Unfortunately, the perpetrator of this garbled message has managed, through ignorance or design, to combine fact with fiction, thereby making the warning virtually useless. As discussed below, scammers have indeed used the fake comment quoted in the warning message to steal information from unwary MySpace users. However, the attack described does not target Photobucket account holders. Even if a MySpace user does fall victim to this phishing scam, there are no credible reports that indicate his or her Photobucket account will also be affected.

Rather than attempting to compromise Photobucket accounts, this attack uses the quoted comment and a number of similar variants to trick MySpace members into relinquishing their MySpace login details. Clicking links in the bogus comments opens a fake webpage designed to mirror the genuine MySpace home page, complete with login form. The scammers can collect the account details of those who login on the fake page. They then have full access to the compromised MySpace accounts and can post more bogus comments in the names of their victims.

MySpace users should be cautious of clicking on links in comments or messages, even if they appear to originate from friends. The fake MySpace webpages have .cn (Chinese) domains and the URL's do not look like normal MySpace addresses. However, while the comment phishing attack described is certainly real, claims in the message that the attack also affects Photobucket users are unfounded.

References:
MySpace Identity Theft Scams On the Rise?
Large Scale MySpace Phishing Attack
Photobucket Forums: Spoof Emails

Last updated: 3rd January 2007
First published: 3rd January 2007

from: http://www.hoax-slayer.com/photo-bucket-virus-warning.shtml

Tammy Burned Dog Email Petition

Summary:
Email petition describes a case in which a dog was deliberately and very badly burned by its owners. It asks recipients to "sign" and forward the message in the hope that the names can be used by the SPCA in the prosecution of those responsible (Full commentary below).

Status:
Describes a real case, but the petition is now hopelessly outdated and email petitions are ineffective

Example:(Submitted, November 2008)

Subject: RE: Please, Please sign this

Dear Friends & Colleagues,

I was horrified and shocked to see the article in the Daily Voice yesterday about Tammy, a dog that had been burnt so badly by her owners.

The owners wanted to punish her for jumping over the wall into the neighbours place. They fetched her and put her in her kennel and set it alight.

I am not sure how many of you have seen the pictures. As an animal lover it brought tears to my eyes because she was burnt so badly. The SPCA had to put her down.

The SPCA have removed the other 2 dogs from these people and are pressing criminal charges against them. I am therefore appealing to all animal lovers to please add your name to the petition so that the owners are given the maximum punishment befitting to them.

I have spoken with the Daily Voice, and we have an agreement that they will forward the signatures to the SPCA to use in the prosecution of these people. PLEASE, if you agree, please sign the petition and forward to as many contacts as possible.

Every 500 signatures, please return to me: [email address removed]

This will then be forwarded to the Daily Voice who in turn will forward it to the SPCA.

Thank you and regards,

Hillary

Starting new list : [74 names removed]

Commentary:

©iStockphoto.com/salihguler "Signing" and forwarding email petitions will do nothing to help the plight of abused animals

This petition email describes a horrific case in which, a dog named "Tammy", was badly burned by her owners, supposedly to "punish" her for jumping over a wall into her neighbor's yard. The message asks recipients to add their names to the petition and forward it to as many people as possible. It claims that the lists of names will be eventually forwarded to South African animal welfare organization, the SPCA. According to the message, the SPCA will use the petition as an aid in the prosecution of Tammy's owners. Supposedly, adding one's name to the email will help to ensure that those responsible for Tammy's torture will receive the "maximum punishment befitting to them".

Sadly, the case described in the email actually happened. The kennel burning incident occurred in the Western Cape province of South Africa around August, 2006. An article originally published in the Cape Times on August 25th 2006 notes:

A Parow couple are to appear in the Bellville regional court on Friday, charged with burning their dog alive.

If convicted, the pair could face fines of up to R200 000 or two years in prison.

The pitbull, named Tammy, almost died when her owners allegedly tried to set her alight in her kennel. She was so burnt so badly that the SPCA, who had rescued her and the owners' two other dogs, had to put her down.

"She was suffering immensely and there was nothing more we could do for her," said Allan Perrins of the SPCA.

Tammy had burns all over her body: on her face, legs and underbelly, but her eyes were particularly badly damaged.

However, while the incident really happened, "signing" and forwarding this email petition will do nothing whatsoever to see justice done in the case.

Firstly, the petition is now hopelessly outdated. The case has already gone to court and the perpetrator, Raymond Koegelenberg of Parow, was sentenced in late 2007 to 400 hours community service and banned from owning animals for 15 years.

Secondly, even when the case was still pending, the petition email was considered counterproductive by the SPCA. A spokesperson for SPCA parent body, the NSPCA explained the organization's position on the petition in an email to whereisthelove.co.za:

The NSPCA appreciates the sentiments of the people behind this petition. The day Tammy came in there was not a dry eye at the SPCA and it left a very dark cloud over our heads. The fact that people care and have compassion is wonderful. Nevertheless, we plead with everyone to exclude ourselves and if possible (now that this petition is whizzing through cyberspace) not to pass it on.

It could be damaging to the court case.

Calling for a maximum sentence or for punishment before a person has been tried and found guilty can be construed as perverting the course of justice. The SPCA movement was not involved in this petition but if it is sent to us and this face is revealed in Court by the defense, it truly could damage the case.

A petition cannot be used in a prosecution. Even once a person has been found guilty, it could be considered to be pressurizing a judge or magistrate if a petition is submitted, calling for a particular sentence.

Many people around the world are likely to consider community service far too light a sentence for such a crime. However, regardless of how strongly you may feel about this issue, adding your name and forwarding a petition will do nothing at all to help the plight of abused animals.

In general, email petitions are almost totally pointless. Since most such petitions do not record any verifiable details from those adding their names, they are seldom taken seriously by those in authority. The person or organization targeted by the petition has no way of knowing if the names are genuine. It would be exceptionally easy for a person to make up lists of bogus names or even copy and paste names from other sources. Moreover, as in this case, email petitions often circulate long after they could have the slightest influence on the case at hand. And quite commonly, they contain inaccurate or completely false information that renders them utterly useless from the outset. These and other problems with email petitions, mean that Internet users should think twice before adding their names to such messages. Starting or signing a genuine and well organized paper or website based petition is much, much more likely to be helpful than adding a name to a randomly forwarded email.

For more information about the worthlessness of email petitions, see:
Are Email Petitions Useful?

References:
SPCA
Tammy B the burned pitbull – owner pleads guilty
Couple charged after dog burnt in kennel
South Africa: Community Service for Setting Dog Alight
WhereIsTheLove? Tammy
Jail EVIL owners

from:http://www.hoax-slayer.com/tammy-burned-dog-petition.shtml