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The Haunted Librarian

~ Researching, investigating, and writing about the paranormal.

The Haunted Librarian

Category Archives: Para Scammers

Uncle Sam Wants Bigfoot Trackers?

08 Tuesday May 2018

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Bigfoot, Cryptozoologist, Hoaxes, In the News, Para Scammers, Uncategorized

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Tags

#ParaScammer, Bigfoot Tracker, Keith Barnes

UncleSam

Uncle Sam Wants Bigfoot Trackers?

Last week, news broke about Keith Barnes, a 46-year-old Arkansas man, who liked to dress up and pretend to work for the federal government. More precisely: Barnes claimed he was a “Bigfoot Tracker” for the Department of the Interior. Yes, Barnes claimed that the US government employed him as a Cryptozoologist. While he was under investigation for impersonating a federal employee, Barnes was arrested for possessing child pornography. It is unclear if the investigation as to his impersonating a federal employee continues and if the charges would be rolled into the criminal charges. Barnes’ next court appearance is scheduled for June 18, 2018.

No, the US Department of the Interior does not employ cryptozoologists. Although an interesting and ever-changing job, the position does not exist. However, should one exist, what would the job posting look like?

A Cryptozoologist is a person who studies the existence of “disputed or unsubstantiated species.” The most common are called Bigfoot, Yeti, and Sasquatch. Although a science-based college degree is not required, it is strongly encouraged that the person know about animal life. Further, by definition, it is implied that the Cryptozoologist be a “Zoologist,” someone who has an undergraduate degree in animal biology.

A “Bigfoot Tracker” is a person who tracks Bigfoot. No college degree or experience needed.

Ideally, the job would fall under the purview of the US Fish and Wildlife Service. A “Bigfoot Tracker” would probably apply for a Park Ranger position or any of the Biologist jobs. Both positions require an undergraduate degree or relevant work experience in lieu of a degree.

Extensive travel would be involved. Due to the large size of the nation and the varying reports, prospective applicants would need to travel. A lot. Outside organizations are better equipped to handle such reports. They have the infrastructure and network in place to maximize personnel. The US government does not.

The Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO) claims to be the largest virtual community of researchers, scientists, journalists, and enthusiasts. Founded in 1995, the organization’s mission is to explore the “bigfoot/sasquatch mystery” using scientific means. Membership is by invitation-only. The organization is most known for its connection to the Finding Bigfoot TV show that aired on Animal Planet. [Barnes was admitted to the BFRO. To date the organization has not released a statement about his arrest or the other investigation or whether he remains a member.] For more information, view their website at https://www.bfro.net/.

This is not to say that the government is not interested in the paranormal. While the government has paid contractors to investigate extraterrestrial life, the government does not maintain job lines, complete with pensions and limited job protections. Instead, the government monitors developments and then investigates. If the job title sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Barnes is another example of a paranormal scammer (#ParaScammer) who fed lies to fuel his ego.

 

 

 

#ParaNews for the Week of May 7, 2018

08 Tuesday May 2018

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Hoaxes, In the News, Marietta, Para Scammers, ParaNews, Uncategorized

≈ Comments Off on #ParaNews for the Week of May 7, 2018

Tags

Bigfoot Tracker, Keith Barnes, mufon, ParaScammers, What We Do in the Shadows

Poster2

Paranormal News for the Week of May 7, 2018

#ParaNews for the Week of May 7, 2018

BarnesABN-300x239
KeithBarnes
  1. Keith Barnes, a 46-year-old man from Black Rock, Arkansas, claims to work for the US Department of the Interior as a “Bigfoot Tracker.” He dons a fake khaki ranger uniform with bogus patches pretending to be a cryptozoologist. Barnes is not a scientist. Nor does the US government employ professional trackers searching for Bigfoot. Barnes is another #ParaScammer. His story would not make the evening news, except that he was arrested for possessing child pornography. Barnes attracted the attention of law enforcement when he began wearing the “uniform” and telling people he tracked the movements of cryptids in North America. An investigation into whether Barnes was impersonating a federal employee when an anonymous source alerted authorities to the child pornography. Barnes posted bail and will appear in court on June 18th.
  2. FX has ordered 10 episodes of the TV version of What We Do in the Shadows, the 2014 mockumentary about modern-day vampires coping with adulting. The movie was set in New Zealand and starred Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi, and Jonny Brugh. The TV series will be set in New York City and star Matt Berry, Kayvan Novak, Natasia Demetrious, and Harvey Guillen. The ½ comedy will debut in 2019 with Clement and Waititi serving as writers and producers. Wellington Paranormal, another TV spin-off based on the police officers in the film who investigate paranormal activity, is in development and scheduled for a 2018 release.
  3. MUFON, the Mutual U.F.O. Network, is quite active. In fact, last week I read a posting on my city’s neighborhood Facebook page where an investigator was asking for eyewitness reports of supposed U.F.O. activity in March. For more information on MUFON activity or to file a report, visit http://www.mufon.com/. Lesson: Always read your neighborhood posts. You never know what will brighten your feed.

MUFON in Marietta

Beware the #ParaScammer

04 Friday Aug 2017

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Dragon Con, Investigations, Para Scammers, Paranormal, Uncategorized

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Dragon Con, ParaScammers

Danger

Beware the #ParaScammers

The Haunted Librarian coined the term ParaScammers. These are people who either take advantage of people in the paranormal community or they are people who fake special talents in order to profit. The list grows annually. She will discuss famous and well-known cases and possibly some that may surprise the audience. In addition, she will discuss how she protects herself from scammers and offers suggestions for others.

Tentatively scheduled for Friday, September 1st at 9 PM. Purchase tickets online at http://www.dragoncon.org/.

Beware the Scam Artist #ParaScammers

06 Wednesday May 2015

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Ghost Hunting, Ghost Tours, Para Scammers

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

carol malone, john albrecht, para scammers, tombstone

Carol Malone Cited

Carol Malone Cited

Beware the Scam Artist #ParaScammers

Earlier this week, I blogged about the unfortunate events that occurred during the “A Haunting in Tombstone” event. (See “Carol Malone Bombs in Tombstone” https://thehauntedlibrarian.com/2015/05/03/carol-malone-bombs-in-tombstone/) Well, actually, the non-event. Carol Malone scammed many, many people out of their money by promising an incredible paranormal event packed with guest speakers, vendors, and investigations. Ms. Malone showed up to disappointed crowds and ran for the hills—right after she was cited for failing to pay for services rendered. Unfortunately, Ms. Malone is not the only one who has illegally profited from the para community. It’s time for us to join in solidarity and to condemn these actions.

John Albrecht, Jr. penned an excellent article, http://www.examiner.com/article/carol-malone-aka-london-knight-scams-haunted-historic-town-arizona. I encourage you to read it. John also posted a YouTube video. It’s worth viewing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dE-KbISLJY#t=25.

Something positive did arise from this. Watch this segment and see how people made the best of the travesty and salvaged investigations. https://www.facebook.com/HuffParanormal/videos/vb.418566248207499/896034383794014/?type=2&theater

So what should you do? Spread the word. Keep people like Carol Malone out of our community. Do due diligence. There are some fabulous and credible entertainment companies out there. Support the community. And finally, associate with positive people. Let’s kick the negativity out of the paranormal community.

The Haunted Librarian

Marietta, Georgia

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