People were deceived. Accusations of dishonesty and even illegality flew. But the man behind the book defends it, calling it not a prank but a “philosophical experiment.”
Tag: Hoaxes and Pranks
Magicians Mount Search for Woman Behind Decades-Old Deception
A British society of magicians expelled a woman for tricking her way into the club in 1991. Now it wants to invite her back, but the woman seems to have pulled a disappearing act.
All Trick, No Treat: Dublin Crowds Turn Up for Halloween Parade That Wasn’t
The scariest thing this Halloween? In one city, it was the power of a phony online event listing.
It Turns Out the Picassos Anchoring a Gallery’s Exhibit Were Not by Picasso
The Museum of Old and New Art in Australia claimed to have placed several Picassos inside a women’s restroom to protest a court ruling against the women-only exhibit. The curator now says they were fake.
How the Hunt for a Lioness Near Berlin Turned Into a Wild Boar Chase
The heavily armed search that upended the southern edge of the German capital met an anti-climactic end — and left some scratching their heads: “A wild boar doesn’t really look like a lion.”
Grichka and Igor Bogdanoff, Twins in an Uneasy Spotlight, Die at 72
In France they were science-loving TV celebrities (molded by plastic surgery) whose own research was suspect, maybe a hoax. They died within days of each other.
Canadian Admits Fabricating Terrorism Tale Detailed in New York Times Podcast
In exchange for the admission of the man, Shehroze Chaudhry, Canada dropped criminal charges against him.
Crowds Lured by a Hoax Concert Clash With Belgian Police
An April Fool’s Day prank ended in clashes with the police.
BBC Apologizes for Interview With Cory Booker Impostor
The network issued a correction and said it was looking into the matter, calling the interview a “deliberate hoax.”
A Canadian’s Gripping Tale Withers Under Scrutiny
A Burlington, Ontario, man told elaborate and gruesome stories of life in the Islamic State for a New York Times podcast. An examination revealed a pattern of misrepresentation.