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

[Dubious Dick]

Some of you will remember the challenge Randi sent out to Cumberland Industries regarding the ADE 651 a couple of weeks or so back.

Of course, as Randi predicted (is the man psychic or what?) they are refusing to take the test due to it being "rigged so they will fail"!!!

Since then we have discovered that Cumberland are not the principal but an apointed agent, and are not based in the U.K. but in Lebanon.

The principal is ATSC based in the U.K and run by Jim McCormick. There are definite connections from SNIFFEX through MOLE through to ADE 651 and also GT 200 from another U.K company called global Technical.

If you want to know more then see the following links:
http://explosivedetectorfrauds.blogs...it-tested.html

this is an anti ADE and GT blog

then this:
http://ade651.blogspot.com/2008_08_01_archive.html

this is big Jims own blog defending ADE. Where's the evidence you promised in August Jim?

Some of us in the U.K are hunting down ATSC and Global Technical. In the U.S you can try finding Mr. Balais also at ATSC. he and McCormick were partners with Bolton of GT in the MOLE until Balais f**ed up an independent test (see here http://www.justnet.org/Lists/JUSTNET...eval_apr02.pdf) We have reason to believe that Balais may still be operating separately from ATSC UK as we have found him listed in a 2008 EOD equipment catalogue as follows: Advanced Tactical Security &
Communications, LLC
Robert Balais
P.O. Box 270576
Louisville, CO 80027
USA
303-494-1080
303-499-2870
info@atsctech.com
http://www.atsctech.com

We have reason to believe that the sale of ADE 651 to Iraq mentioned in the August SWIFT was done via a corrupt Iraqi Interior Ministry official connected with the Cumberland Industries agent and using money supplied by the U.S. for enhancing security. These units are in the field with Police around Iraq and are putting Police and innocent lives at risk.

We are doing everything we can to track down these people and get them shut down. Anyone care to join in? Feel free!

This is a case where we can get a quick win.

Happy hunting, DD

[Techowiz]

As stated on other forums, this is an issue that is gathering momentum and not before time. These fraudsters must have pocketed millions with this scam.
As we approach remembrence day lets not forget the brave soldiers whose lives are at risk from this scam equipment.

[Dubious Dick]

If these scum won't take the MDC lets get them running! Preferably without their ill gotten gains!!

Particularly wanted is an Electrical Engineer or Physiscist who can give us a simpletons guide as to why the claimed electrostatic attraction principle behind this does not work.

I know full well that it does not and understand why but am not in a position of authority/credibility to make a definitive statement that will aid in knocking these plonkers of their perches.

[biomorph]

This might be of some use,


www.atscltd.com

and

http://www.whois.net

[chillzero]

Because there's no challenge, I'm moving this to General Paranormal. I expect you'll get more readers there too.

[Dubious Dick]

Hi Chill,

O.K. just thought JR had made a dierct challenge to them hence the original placing, but happy to put in our rightful place!

DD

[Techowiz]

Thanks Biomorph, we have that site logged.
We need the help of the people on this site to rid the UK of these scum.
The US got rid of their version, the discredited, 'Sniffex', we now need your help to get rid of the UK version, The ADE651 and the GT200, marketed by, ATSC and Global Technical respectively.
Any help will be most appreciated.

[Dubious Dick]

Originally Posted by biomorph

This might be of some use,


www.atscltd.com

and

http://www.whois.net

Thanks bio. We've already got those and are looking for someone to go digging into Balais in the U.S.

If a U.S. citizen wants to send info to the State Department about the possible use of U.S. funds for the Iraqi purchase then go ahead!

Also, it is likely that legit U.S. EOD companies might be very upset about U.S. money being spent on garbage so anyone who knows anyone in the World of EOD may want to get their tails wagging!

Any info required just pm or ask here.

We really want to get these guys and unlike the psychs who are so difficult to pin down, reckon we can.

[Dubious Dick]

You may like to check out the website of one of the distributors of this garbage at

http://www.prosec.com

See Products/Explosive Detectors

Anyone in Lebabnon able to get us info on this lot?

Thanks.
DD

[technoextreme]

Originally Posted by Dubious Dick

If these scum won't take the MDC lets get them running! Preferably without their ill gotten gains!!

Particularly wanted is an Electrical Engineer or Physiscist who can give us a simpletons guide as to why the claimed electrostatic attraction principle behind this does not work.

I really hope their is more than one product called Sniffex because there is an IEEE journal article about an explosives detecter with the same name.
EDIT:
Ahhh yes Wired article to the rescue. They are not the same.

Quote:

Also, it is likely that legit U.S. EOD companies might be very upset about U.S. money being spent on garbage so anyone who knows anyone in the World of EOD may want to get their tails wagging!

Ehhhh.... Email this man. He created a sensor called Sniffex that is used to detect explosives. You might as well see what he has because I think the name is just used to rip off their legitimate research.
http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpls/abs_...number=1468137
pinnaduwagle@ornl.gov

[Dubious Dick]

Will get on to the guy you link to. This whole saga is getting more interesting by the minute. We are hunting ATSC/ADE and Global Technical/GT all over the World now.

Anyone able to dig up Robert Balais and the U.S. angle with ATSC?

He is listed here and we cannot find anything as to whether or not he is still trying to sell this garbage still:

http://www.iabti.org/IABTI_EOD_Buyers_Guide.pdf

I have warned the IABTI about his past and hope they are doing something to remove him from membership if he is still selling this stuff.

Ideally anyone with State Department contact should let them know about the ATSC/Cumberland sale of ADE to the Iraqi Police, probably using U.S. money and via corrupt Iraqi Interior Ministry official we believe.

[Techowiz]

Big Jim is on the run, after a series of arguments on various blogs, Big Jim of ATSC has bottled out of any further comment or response. Gary Bolton (The MOLE) of Global Technical has at least got the sense to not try and defend the indefensible.
For a start to present story of this scam, check out Lumpy's blog at:-

google - 'sniffexquestions'

and read the full story.

[Dubious Dick]

Here's the link Techo mentions in his last post:

http://sniffexquestions.blogspot.com

Lumpy has done a great job aggregating info on all these scams.

If you want to help please put up this and the following links on your blogs to get google rankings up and hopefully help to dissuade potential buyers:

http://explosivedetectorfrauds.blogspot.com/

http://ade651gt200scamfraud.blogspot.com/

Interesting to note that while Jim McCormick of ATSC claims the ADE works through 'electrostatic attaction akin to Gauss's Law' (BS of the year award anyone?) and is not a sniffer device, one of his distributors, Prosec in Lebanon says that it works as a particulate and vapor detector using Thermo-redux technology.

|Wonder which is telling the truth? If I had a million I would bet neither...Oh, sorry, forgot Randi alraedy did!!

[Techowiz]

There is confusion amongst the liars, take for example the alleged workings of the ade651 from the website of ATSC UK, where they state the working principle is:-

'electrostatic ion attraction'

Then if you go to ATSC's authorised distributor in Lebanon, PROSEC website, it now apparently works thus:-

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

The interesting thing is that we all now it doesn't work under any principle.

[Biff Starbuck]

Techno and Dick,

Well done in exposing these new versions of old scams

[Techowiz]

Hi Biff,
Many thanks for your support. Please visit our blogs as outlined by Dubious at post #13. Any comments most welcome
regards
Techo

[Dubious Dick]

Hi Biff, well guess we can't really take credit for exposing them Randi challenged the ADE and Techo and me have taken up the cudgels since of course McCormick at ATSC (ADE) and Bolton at Global Technical (GT200/GT5000) won't take the MDC! Wonder why!

Also Lumpy has a great blog we rely on. So the crew is a good one.

Where are you?

Cheers.
DD

[Biff Starbuck]

It is true Randi exposed them previously, but as the links in my signature suggest, I think these kinds of sites are important. While Randi can provide the initial publicity, a longer and more detailed analysis on a website or blog can reach many more people who search for information on a specific topic. Most of the people who read Swift are the choir to which Randi and JREF are preaching. However, the people who hear about a bogus product or service and are doing research are probably going to read a site about that item or person, and not JREF's articles.

This is one thing RSL showed us with the Stop Kaz and then Stop Sylvia sites and Phil Plait regarding the crackpot theories of the moon landing hoaxes.

I think the recent events with the Stop Sylvia site having to change domain names has brought the forum's attention to the value these sites have in expanding the audience reached by these warnings. I found this post on Skeptools which points out the advantages of these blogs. While Randi might get credit for the initial warning, your efforts are invaluable.

http://skeptools.wordpress.com/2008/10/

[Biff Starbuck]

http://www.nieuwsblad.be/Article/Det...cleID=C61BBTMB

Police force divided concerning usefulness of modern witching rod

THE ADE 651 (Advanced Detection system) is according to distributer Delpac International a revolutionary means for finding narcotics or trace explosives. The basis of the system is a card on which is stored all data to trace a substance. By means of electromagnetic attraction the apparatus finds the chosen product up to five hundred meters away.

'Through walls' ' Through walls or body' , distributer Wim De Leur strongly sells. 'The apparatus has been developed after the bomb attacks in Bali. It is especially used in the Middle East, including in Saudi Arabia and Iraq. But the detector therefore can find everything of which you can register the molecular composition on chip. We have for example sold it to a truffle farmer. But just as well you can have the DNA of a man and go searching with this device.'

Sounds beautiful, but not beautiful enough for the federal police force. "We have twice tested it and we were not satisfied" , spokeswoman Cleemput says. So no purchase, just as with the customs. "This technology quickly became infected," it sounds. "Walk for example, by the Nieuwstraat and the thing will be everywhere detecting drugs and explosives."

Nevertheless there are really police forces that believe in the ADE 651. Both Flemalle and the police force area Geel-Laakdal-Meerhout bought already an apparatus which they now test further, this weekend again at Wodca-controle (on speed, alcohol and narcotics) in the Kempen.

Until there are discussions with the prosecutor of Turnhout about the precise legality, nobody wants the police to respond officially. But a senior officer of the corps clearly wants to express his satisfaction. "With this device we can detect where the cars in which drugs are located. We need the drugs themselves still in the car to search. But with fewer officers we are now working better and more efficiently. That the device would not work, as the federal states, we see this contradicted every day in practice and in all tests."

If anyone speaks Dutch, please feel free to correct my Babel Fish and Google assisted translation of this article from Belgium. It is very reminiscent of the Quadro Tracker scam which Randi exposed. I am also sad to see local departments buying this junk and ignoring the tests which showed it did not work. The power of the ideomotor effect illusion of working in a hands-on demonstration outweighs a double blind test which scientifically shows the dowsing rod is as bad as randomly guessing as far as improving the chance of being correct. And just as Randi showed with the Quadro Tracker, of course a trained police officer will be able to find drugs in cars while holding a dowsing rod, but that doesn't mean the dowsing rod helped.

[Techowiz]

Good find Biff, Would love to know how the truffle farmer is getting on
No great surprise that the Police do not agree on this scam equipment. If you had paid possible up to $50,000 would you say it now doesn't work??? It is notable that the serious guys, The Federal Police and The Customs have dismissed it. So no comfort there for the scammers.

[Techowiz]

It seems that Mr Gary Bolton of Global Technical Ltd (UK) we all remember him that guy that was originally selling the MOLE, remember how well it did at the Sandia Lab? Anyway after that disaster he renamed the MOLE the GT200 to fool everybody, which didn't work. Mr Bolton has now threatened one of our supporters with, 'Legal Action' for Libel for the comments exposing the fraud that is the GT200.
Should be a fun day in court whilst he tries to prove the scam actually detects anything but the gullible and niave.

[Dubious Dick]

Hey Biff, interesting article. Already knew via Delpac that there was a Belgian connection. Funnily enough, Belgium probably the most corrupt place in Northern Europe from what I understand! Strange correlation, no!

Have already written to the Belgian Embassy in London to warn them about ADE. Unlikely to get any response individually from these efforts, but some mud will stick somewhere.

You are welcome to PM us on UK Skeptics if you want, or here, if you find out any more info you think we may not have.

Cheers,
DD

[Dubious Dick]

Anyone in the U.S. prepared to check out this number given on the ATSC site (purveyors of that useless piece of ****, the ADE 651) as their U.S. office contact number:

201 399 2229

Also whether Mr. Robert Balais is still contactable at, and involved with the ADE or similar:

Advanced Tactical Security &
Communications, LLC
Robert Balais
P.O. Box 270576
Louisville, CO 80027
USA
303-494-1080
303-499-2870
info@atsctech.com
http://www.atsctech.com

Thanks, DD

[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

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 are claiming a U.S. agent as: C&R International, PO Box 940956, Miami, Florida, Tel:+001-3052269552 Email: jose@sagnv.com

Anyone care to check out Jose and C&R please feel free.

Happy detecting!! HO HO.

[Techowiz]

Comstrac will be this guy:-

SIMON SHERRARD
8 HILL RISE
LONDON
NW116NA
Director ReportAge: 45
Additional information
Director Information for SIMON SHERRARD
Gender:
Male
Age:
45
Nationality:
British
Occupation(s):
Director

Companies Information For SIMON SHERRARD

Comstrac Ltd

Managing Director 5 LYTTELTON ROAD EAST FINCHLEY LONDON N2 0DW
B.S.J. Agencies Ltd.

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

[Techowiz]

Even more:-

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

Financial Information

Issued Capital£ 2 Net Worth£ 23,452 Year Started2001 Annual Return Date22 October

Directors Information

Active Current Directors
MR SIMON SHERRARD Director / Managing Director
8 HILL RISE GOLDERS GREEN BARNET LONDON NW116NA
MS JULIA MICHELE SHERRARD Company Secretary
8 HILL RISE GOLDERS GREEN BARNET LONDON NW116NA

[Biff Starbuck]

More great work on exposing the companies and actors behind the sales of these potentially dangerous products.

The Sniffex Questions site has a link to Digg. I dug it (Digged it?) a few months ago in support of Lumpy's request at getting the site more visibility. Maybe you guys could add a Digg link to the Explosive Detector Frauds and ADE651 and GT200 scam sites. Perhaps the more of us who Digg the sites, the more exposure they will get from potential buyers and the higher they will show up in search results.

You could also write to the SniffexTest webmaster to see if he or she would link to the new sites as well in order to cross promote and shut the door on these similar products.

[Techowiz]

Thanks Biff for your continued support.
best regards

[Biff Starbuck]

No problem.

I made a Digg for Explosive Detector Frauds to help people find out more regarding the ADE 651 and GT200

http://digg.com/gadgets/Want_to_find_a_bomb_Use_an_ADE_651_or_GT200_dowsin g_rod#

[Dubious Dick]

Hi Biff, I've dugg your digg and added a comment with the blog links. Not sure how this Digg site works yet but the more we spread the word about these scams the better!

[Dubious Dick]

We are stepping up our campaign against the fraudsters behind the ADE 651 GT 200 and ALPHA 6

If you can help by linking to the following on your website or blog please do so thatw e can get the Google rankings up:

http://sniffexquestions.blogspot.com

http://explosivedetectorfrauds.blogspot.com/

http://ade651gt200scamfraud.blogspot.com

Many thanks,
DD

[Biff Starbuck]

Another Digg link, this time for ADE651 GT200 scam blog. An expose showing the people behind the sites selling this bogus equipment.


http://digg.com/security/A_look_at_t..._651_and_GT200

And one for Sniffex Questions

http://digg.com/security/Scam_Sniffe...to_the_US_Navy

[Dubious Dick]

Thanks for the digging Biff.

Here's a response to my enquiry as to why the SNIFFEX is still being sold in Europe. The man agrees to any test!! Am taking bets against it happening, but who knows, maybe we can get one of these scam dowsers in front of the cameras again and show it to be useless>

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

Fon.: +49 228 688 36 58
Fax: +49 228 688 36 59

Edited by Myriad:

Some personal information removed. The remaining information is publicly available.

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

www.unival-group.com / www.gps-security.net / www.sniffex-eu.com

[Steve Knight]

I'm honestly in awe of the dedication, patience and stamina of forum members who chase these a***holes. The tortuous 'due process' that one has to go through to silence a single claim is far too frustrating for me, hats off to those who endure it.

[Biff Starbuck]

Originally Posted by Dubious Dick

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!

Well done! I am sure Randi would be happy to oblige in putting up the Million Dollar Challenge to the Snffex Plus. I can already hear the lame excuses when it fails the preliminary challeges.

Also, I would absolutely love to see the official test reports from any agency using the Sniffex Plus. If you get copies, send me a PM and I can give you an e-mail address where I can receive them.

Once again, nice work!

[Techowiz]

Sniffex is reborn.
Now named, 'Sniffex PLUS'
Still does not work but check out their website for a really good laugh.

Google - sniffex-eu.com/
regards

[LONGTABBER PE]

Originally Posted by Dubious Dick

If these scum won't take the MDC lets get them running! Preferably without their ill gotten gains!!

Particularly wanted is an Electrical Engineer or Physiscist who can give us a simpletons guide as to why the claimed electrostatic attraction principle behind this does not work.
I know full well that it does not and understand why but am not in a position of authority/credibility to make a definitive statement that will aid in knocking these plonkers of their perches.

I would be willing to assist you in that if you still need assistance. ( thats what the PE is LOL Professional Engineer)

Funny thing is, in the military, I was demo and later USAR was NBC so I have a working knowledge of instruments that detect things like explosives ( based on the CAM , M-8's etc we use to detect chemical agents)

I read their site and cant fathom how it could possibly work. ( but their answers are less than technical) If you could get more detail or even a schematic, I'n reasonably certain I could shred it in no uncertain terms.

[Biff Starbuck]

Originally Posted by Techowiz

Sniffex is reborn.
Now named, 'Sniffex PLUS'

How many times can this scam be resurrected?

Some of the old press releases said the next generation of Sniffex was going to have GPS and lasers. Where are my lasers? I was promised lasers!!

[Techowiz]

Originally Posted by LONGTABBER PE

I would be willing to assist you in that if you still need assistance. ( thats what the PE is LOL Professional Engineer)

Funny thing is, in the military, I was demo and later USAR was NBC so I have a working knowledge of instruments that detect things like explosives ( based on the CAM , M-8's etc we use to detect chemical agents)

I read their site and cant fathom how it could possibly work. ( but their answers are less than technical) If you could get more detail or even a schematic, I'n reasonably certain I could shred it in no uncertain terms.

Hi Longtabber, many thanks for your kind offer, is it ok to pm you?
regards

[LONGTABBER PE]

Originally Posted by Techowiz

Hi Longtabber, many thanks for your kind offer, is it ok to pm you?
regards

Certainly, if they are frauds I'm ready to "lock and load" on them. ( and based on what I read, they are)