Update 22nd April 2013 – Fraudster found guilty

One of the saddest, funny stories – or funny-sad stories if you prefer – of recent weeks (although such stories are much more common than you might think) is that of the fake bomb detector – the ADE651.

Sad, of course, because there is a reasonable probability that the gullibility of the purchasers led to deaths that might otherwise have been avoided.  But is it funny?  Well, maybe only to those of us who possess the blackest sense of humour but you have to admit that when something is so obviously a dud it is hilarious to witness some people still pretending that it works and, even funnier, the scientific ‘experts’ who think even the daftest ideas demand the respect of a rigorous analysis when anyone with a bit of sense and a screwdriver could work it out for themselves.

Basically the ADE651 is an old fashioned car aerial with some techy-looking thingumajig and a couple of batteries. Not that dissimilar to the product we have all come to refer to as ‘HR Strategy’. So, in a spirit of gullibility avoidance and with a view to rendering all dangerous HR strategies harmless, I am hereby announcing a total product recall of all HR Strategy Products starting with the letters BS.

There is a high probability that you have been using one of these BS model variants for some time; without realising that they do not contain any active components. But how do you know whether your device is a fake or not?  Well, as HR strategies don’t come with specific model numbers you will have to dismantle the device first.  Don’t worry, this does not require a screwdriver or any technical ability whatsoever – although we do recommend that you keep your eyes open.  Also, in case you are worried, it is not like defusing a bomb, nothing will go off in your face.  As soon as you start to take it apart you will quickly find that none of the wires are connected to anything.

So here is some guidance as to which types of components you might come across and how you can remove them with total confidence.  Please do not return them to us though as we have no use for them and they cannot be recycled – they have already been recycled many times before and are now well past their original shelf-life.

• The ‘Gladwell Insight 2000’ – this is a nicely packaged component but don’t let that fool you – there is nothing here that will have an impact – or at least if it does you won’t know until after it has already happened.
• The Mauborg-Kim USP V.2005 is really just an extremely old component with a new cover.  It does have one feature though that distinguishes it from the original and best version of USP – it is blue.
• You might also find a very complex array of components and instruments often generically (and misleadingly) referred to as ‘psychometrics’.  The wiring diagrams for these can become incredibly complicated and you might want to investigate each one in detail but it is probably just as well to rip them all out and start again.
• If you come across two components with the word ‘Hay’ stamped on the front – usually followed by the words ‘competency’ or ‘evaluation’ you have a serious problem.  These are usually found very tightly bound together and they impose a very constricting force, a bit like wearing a straitjacket.  Unfortunately they were specifically designed by the makers to be extremely difficult to remove, particularly if you have been using them for some time. There is no off-the-shelf replacement for these two components and our best advice is to re-design your own version, ensuring that it fits together well with everything else, before throwing them out.

As far as I am aware none of the above manufacturers operate a returns policy or a money-back guarantee.

If you find any other components that you are not sure about please do not hesitate to contact us with product details and we will advise you how best to dispose of them safely.  In the meantime always remember our motto:

“There’s one born every minute – just make sure you’re not the one!”

For personal development linked to this topic visit the Consummate Professional Series