S.F. Man Says Beheading Video Is a Hoax
San Francisco Man Says Video That Purportedly Shows Him Being Decapitated Is a Hoax
The Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO Aug. 7, 2004 — An aspiring politician and video game designer who faked his own beheading by Iraqi militants set off a short-lived media frenzy Saturday after media around the world began showing his homemade video of the gruesome hoax.
Benjamin Vanderford, 22, said he posted the 55-second clip, which shows a knife sawing against his neck, on an online file-sharing network in May. It circulated in cyberspace before crossing over to major media, airing on Arab television.
"It was part of a stunt, but no one noticed it up until now," Vanderford told The Associated Press after being awoken at his San Francisco apartment early Saturday and informed that much of the world was suddenly under the impression he had been decapitated.
Shrugging and taking a drink from a diet soda, Vanderford said he originally made the video as a way to draw attention to his campaign for a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. He filmed the footage at a friend's house, using fake blood.
When his political aspirations waned, he decided to distribute the footage on Kazaa, which is used to trade millions of audio, video and software files daily, "to just make a statement on these type of videos and how easily they can be faked."
The Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO Aug. 7, 2004 — An aspiring politician and video game designer who faked his own beheading by Iraqi militants set off a short-lived media frenzy Saturday after media around the world began showing his homemade video of the gruesome hoax.
Benjamin Vanderford, 22, said he posted the 55-second clip, which shows a knife sawing against his neck, on an online file-sharing network in May. It circulated in cyberspace before crossing over to major media, airing on Arab television.
"It was part of a stunt, but no one noticed it up until now," Vanderford told The Associated Press after being awoken at his San Francisco apartment early Saturday and informed that much of the world was suddenly under the impression he had been decapitated.
Shrugging and taking a drink from a diet soda, Vanderford said he originally made the video as a way to draw attention to his campaign for a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. He filmed the footage at a friend's house, using fake blood.
When his political aspirations waned, he decided to distribute the footage on Kazaa, which is used to trade millions of audio, video and software files daily, "to just make a statement on these type of videos and how easily they can be faked."
posted by Mama Fusla at 11:06 PM
5 Comments:
This is the second site I see this story, I do not understand what is interesting about his story.
One of the main reason why people are interested in the series of beheadments in Iraq is because people are sick and they get a kick out of snuff, "Faces of Death" are worldwide best-seller documentaries. Ben's Hoax mocks all the Reality TV enthusiasts arrogant enough to beliebe Iraq is the only place where ppl die.
The truth is people die everywhere, everyday and sometimes a Camera doesn't make it to the scene.
See, if you have added that after your post I would not have asked my question, then again, I do not know if that would be true either.
The hoax isn't interesting, the timing is what's significant. Released in May, 3 months ago..it finally became popular now, why now?
purg, there is no right or wrong, truth or lies.
In Fusla & Fusla everything goes, As far as I'm concerned...everything is fiction and fiction is everything ;)
Yes that is why I like your blog.
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