Sniffex

Sniffex is a now debunked, portable explosive detection system produced by Homeland Safety International.cite news|url=http://blog.wired.com/defense/2008/07/bomb-sniffing-s.html |title=Bomb Sniffing Scam Exposed |publisher="Wired"|author=Michael Grabell |date= 17 July 2008 |accessdate=2008-08-09]

An article in the Dallas Morning News in April 2007 suggested that Sniffex is a dowsing rod and states that "In a test by the U.S. Navy, Sniffex didn't register when two trucks passed within 20 feet, hauling a half ton of explosives." [http://www.physics.smu.edu/~pseudo/sniffex.html Irving-based firm's device, stock trades under scrutiny] "Dallas Morning News", Monday, April 16, 2007] The Navy's counterterrorism technology task force tested Sniffex and concluded "The Sniffex handheld explosives detector does not work." Despite this, the military bought eight for $50,000.

Although high performance is claimed in advertising for Sniffex, such claims have not been verified by objective double blind testing. [ [http://sniffextest.blogspot.com/ Sniffex fails a double blind test at a public demonstration (includes video clips)] ] Although the tests were conducted at a public meeting [ [http://www.anaheimoc.org/press/pressNews.asp?id=50 Seventh Annual Tourism Safety & Security Conference, Anaheim, CA, 4/2006] ] by the president of the company, Sniffex did not detect test explosives when the user did not know in advance where they were located. Additionally, James Randi publicly called into question the validity of Sniffex and exchanged correspondence with the CEO offering one million dollars if Sniffex can do what the press releases claim.cite news|url=http://www.randi.org/jr/2007-02/022307sniffex.html#i1 |title=Sniffex Report |publisher="James Randi Educational Foundation"|author=James Randi |date= February 23, 2007 |accessdate=2008-08-09]

The Sniffex device must not be confused with SniffEx, a prize-winning sensor developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratories (ORNL). [ [http://www.physorg.com/news344.html ORNL inventions win three 'Research and Development 100s] ] That sensor was originally called "Sniffex" until Homeland Safety International enforced its trademark and asked ORNL to stop using the name. [ [http://sniffextest.blogspot.com/ "Sniffex fails a double blind test at a public demonstration" (includes a video clip in which company president confirms this)] ]

In July 2008 the Securities and Exchange Commission filed lawsuits against six company officers for driving "the share price from 80 cents to about $6 by issuing 33 news releases that contained mostly false information about the product and the company's financial situation to earn a combined $32 million in illegal profits."cite news|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/071608dnbussec.40f111b.html |title=SEC settles two lawsuits against Coppell man |publisher="Dallas Morning News"|author=Michael Grabell |date= 15 July 2008 |accessdate=2008-08-09] In mid-July one suit was settled. In addition, the SEC charged Homeland Safety International, promoters of Sniffex, "of being little more than the front for a $32 million stock fraud scheme that enriched insiders at the expense of unsuspecting investors".cite news|url=http://www.propublica.org/feature/sec-bomb-detector-bought-by-military-was-front-for-scam-717/ |title=SEC: Bomb Detector—Bought by Military—Was Front for Scam |publisher="Pro Publica"|author= |date= 17 July 2008 |accessdate=2008-08-09] The SEC complaint said the company "installed a figurehead CEO, named Paul B. Johnson, to hide the involvement of two Bulgarian residents who actually controlled the company" and "then issued a series of what the SEC alleges were false press releases." One of the press releases included a claim of "'impressive'" results from tests conducted by the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. In reality, the tests were conducted by Johnson himself and the results were inconclusive". While the stocks rose the insiders sold, and currently the stock now trades at one tenth of a penny. In July Mark B. Lindberg settled with SEC and a week later pled guilty to wire fraud. [cite news|url=http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/1780635/|title=Coppell man pleads guilty in wire fraud |publisher="TradingMarkets.com"|author= |date= 24 July 2008 |accessdate=2008-08-09]

References

External links

* [http://www.homelandsafetyintl.com/products/sniffex.asp Former Official website] by Homeland Safety International (Domain expired in July 2008)
* [http://sniffexquestions.blogspot.com/ Questions about Sniffex] , an informative blog
* [http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2007/03/the_doghouse_sn.html Discussion with Bruce Schneier, security analyst]
* [http://blog.wired.com/defense/2007/02/sniffing_bomb_d.html Wired "Danger Room" discussion with national security expert Noah Shachtman]
* [http://blog.wired.com/defense/2007/05/sniffex_bombs_b.html Wired "Danger Room" discussion with national security expert Sharon Weinberger (May 2007)]
* [http://www.physics.smu.edu/~pseudo/sniffex.html Irving-based firm's device, stock trades under scrutiny] , an article from the Dallas Morning News about an SEC investigation of possibly illegal stock trading related to Sniffex
* [http://www.citronresearch.com/index.php?s=sniffex Stocklemon Reports on Sniffex (SNFX.pk)] , the original Stock Lemon article regarding the suspicious nature of the origins of Sniffex and Homeland Safety International
* [http://www.randi.org/jr/2007-02/022307sniffex.html#i1 SNIFFEX REPORT] , an email exchange between James Randi, an investigator, and Paul Johnson, president of HSI
* [http://www.propublica.org/feature/sec-bomb-detector-bought-by-military-was-front-for-scam-717/ "SEC: Bomb Detector—Bought by Military—Was Front for Scam"] --a Pro Publica article, July 17,2008 by Michael Grabell, formerly with the Dallas Morning News.