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$500k "Energy-Harvesting" Kickstarter Scam Unfolding Right Now

New submitter FryingLizard (512858) writes For a while I've been following the saga of the Kickstarter "iFind" Bluetooth 4.0 tracking tag. Nothing new about such tags (there are many crowdfunded examples; some have delivered, some have disappointed), but this one claims it doesn't require any batteries — it harvests its energy from electromagnetic emissions (wifi, cell towers, TV signals, etc). The creators have posted no evidence other than some slick Photoshop work, an obviously faked video, some easily disproven data, and classic bad science. So far they've picked up half a million in pledges. With six days to go until they walk off with the money, skeptics abound (10min in) including some excellent dissections of their claims. The creators have yet to post even a single photo of the magical device, instead posting empty platitudes and claims that such secrecy is necessary to protect their IP.

Using just their published figures, their claims are readily refuted, yet still backers flock in. Kickstarter appear uninterested in what can only be described as a slow-motion bank robbery, despite their basic requirement to demonstrate a prototype. It seems self-evident that such scams should not be allowed to propagate on Kickstarter, for the good of other genuine projects and the community at large. Skeptics are maintaining a Google Doc with many of the highlights of the action. Bring your own popcorn and enjoy the show."

2 of 448 comments (clear)

  1. Lets list other free energy communication scams.. by sjwt · · Score: 0, Troll

    Man, this is good to see, here is another one to hit up,
      It claims to allow you to receive and create an auditable sound of most AM broadcasts

    It openly states no battery or power source is needed other then the ambient radio signals.. total bull shit obvisouly

    Please for the love of god ppl, get a clue, free energy claims are 99.999999999999999999999999999999999999999% likely BS, but read what is being written, no 'free energy' here, just the claim of converting energy.

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  2. Re:If they walk away with this money... by pauljlucas · · Score: 1, Troll

    Hey, at least [solar roadways are] technologically feasible.

    Oh, they are so not.

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