Johor Hominid Photos: Hoax!
Posted by: Loren Coleman on August 4th, 2006
Well, optimism springs eternal. As those who have read about the drawings, the photographs, and more, you have realized my early efforts to learn more were frustrated, but we all pushed on. From wishing Vincent Chow well, going to write the foreword to his projected book, to growing skepticism, it has been quite a journey. Hoping against hope, members of the hominology community wanted the purported but unseen photographs of the Johor Hominid to be a valid form of evidence. There appears now to have been an obvious reason for why those promoting the hidden pictures did not wish to have the "photographs" more closely examined (and I am not talking about Vincent Chow and Sean Ang, but the "Guardians"). It seems the photographs are a thinly diguised hoax.
Please remember…the hoax is about the photographs…not about the sightings, not about some footprints, not about the 1970s’ reports and tracks found, not about the lore from the area…in general, the photographs have little to do with the overall “Malaysian Bigfoot” melodrama, although “they” had become the story. The Malaysian Orang Dalam story is unsolved.
But here’s the story on the hoax part of this. Cryptomundo reader Lorenzo Rossi, founder of the Italian website Criptozoo.com, has posted the apparent source of the Johor Hominid photos, which I have learned was first discovered by Cryptomundo reader Jean-Luc Drevillon, a French hominologist. As I don’t read Italian or French, I can only surmise that the photos were found in either a book or a magazine.
Lorenzo posted the photos to his online forum this morning. Many Cryptomundo readers are posting this url in the comments section of my previous post regarding the photos. That is how I was alerted to this situation.
Presently, the Johor Hominid website is "down for maintenance." Is this because of the revelation of the photos, or merely a coincidence? I’m sure we will see shortly.
(Thanks to Craig Woolheater for posting this for me while I dealt with an individual hardware routing problem at my end, now solved.)
Here’s the face drawn by Vincent Chow from the photograph. Below is the photograph posted by Lorenzo Rossi. Lorenzo apparently drew a red box in, marking the sections of the photo that were used to make the following sketches posted on the Johor Hominid site.
Above is the hand drawn by Vincent Chow from the photograph. Below is the sketch drawn by Cryptomundo reader Paul Goodall to tie Vincent’s two sketches together.
Click image for full-size version
Below is the sketch of the eyes made by Sean Ang, followed by the photo released by Vincent Chow of the eyes. Below that is the photo posted by Lorenzo Rossi. A French cryptozoologist, Jean-Luc Drevillon drew a red box in, marking the section of the photo that was posted on the Johor Hominid site.
For a complete rundown on all the August 4th breaking news on the “Johor Hominid” hoax discovery, please also see:
More Johor Fallout: Peter Loh Reacts.
I dont think the Johor Hominid website will be seen again
That was pathetic…
I am greatly disappointed, but relieved that this is over.
it was obvious
If Ang and Chow are completely innocent of any duplicity in this, then they both must be very poor sighted and naive to say the least. Those are laughable.
I am so deeply disappointed in this whole entire situation. Dr.Chow and Sean Ang should be ashamed of themselves i guess i kind of feared this was going to happen. So now there is no MALAYSIAN BIGFOOT. We are back to square one. THANK YOU LOREN FOR BREAKING THIS NEWS UPDATE. You know what the problem is here we dont have a body of any of the alleged bigfoots around the world. To prove that it exists we need a body, so the scientists can examine it.
Can we be certain that these photos are a hoax? It would seem that the photos are the same as Mr.Chow’s drawings. However perhaps the photos have surfaced in the past and are the real thing. It may not be the first time evidence of a Bigfoot type creature may have been overlooked (i.e. The Minnesota Iceman).
Just a thought!
Mike Aragona
BFRO Investigator New Jersey
The more I study them the more they look fake, but again without a real specimen we cannot say for sure what they would look like.
Mike Aragona
BFRO Investigator New Jersey
Who wants to call Rick Noll in Malaysia and give him the bad news? Yikes
One thing’s for sure. Rightly or wrongly, the “Johor Hominid” will go down in the history books from here ever after!
Finally it is over. lets face it with technology today, no photograph or movie clip is proof of anything no matter how good it looks on the surface. I hate to say it but a living or dead specimen which can undergo a public examination or autopsy is the only thing that will prove anything. There are just too many crooks in this world out for a fast buck.
The two don’t even look like they’re the same species.
MadM2000 I agree with you. We will probably not see the JH website again. At least not in the same way it has been previously presented.
Finally! It’s settled. Well, at least it’s been exposed, maybe not settled. In the very beginning I was intrigued. Then, very early on I became skeptical. I think we all did. It’s a shame to see it end like this, yet I think we all knew it would. I think Sean and Vincent both HAD to know about this being a hoax. Oh well, we can speculate all we want, but will we ever know what they were really thinking or what their intentions were?
Sigh.
The Minnesota Iceman was a frozen Neandrathal…
Also, these pictures are definately a fake. It’s evident.
-The ‘male’s’ scrotum in the first ‘photo’ doesn’t seem right… it just looks weird… Sorry
-The female does not look at all real. She resembles one of those animatrons from Walking With Cavemen more than anything! Her chin and lower lip are too prominent.
-Though, she is more convincing then the male. Why, if they are of the same species, are their noses, bodies, and everything else so vastly different? That does not make sense! The male has a sunken chimp nose whereas the female has a humanish nose. Also, the hair of the bodies is different.
This is not found in the same species; so vast psyical differences, even if they are different sexes.
For me, this case is closed. And, if the site ever DOES open again, I have a few things to say to the idiots on the forum.
Ciao!
I’m so glad this fiasco is finally over. Although quite a skeptic, I was still holding just that tiny seed of hope that maybe this would pan out. Those photos look like they were taken of a musem diorama.
excuse me if Im out of place but I LOVE how the BFRO guys are the only ones who still think this could be real.
All this makes me look forward to Harold Stephens documentary even more.
If anyone can find the page Craig is talking about in Italian, give me the link and I can translate it for you guys since I know Italian.
Mike Aragona Says:
It may not be the first time evidence of a Bigfoot type creature may have been overlooked (i.e. The Minnesota Iceman).
The iceman was shown in travelling fairs, the guy that exhibited it couldnt get his story straight of where he got it from and subsequently claimed it was a replica and he had the real one hidden somewhere, a few famous crypotozoologists said it could be real after a cursory examination through the ice and then it vanished when the authorities wanted to seriously investigate.
How does any of that point to overlooked evidence of a real creature?
I actually remember seeing these costumes on tv. Discovery or Science channel did a whole evolution thing a while back. The squatting image is vaugely familiar, but the other one I remember well from the program.
Bravo to everyone for maintaining healthy skepticism throughout this ordeal. Obviously, there is a lot more to this story, but the evidence is clear and the lid has been blown.
I, as a lot of you all, was hoping so much that this would be the real deal, but hopefully this proves to hoaxers that without evidence, even the most willing to believe still need hard data to accept these claims.
So the actual photographs are hoaxed; but the track casts, sightings and local scuttlebutt live on contingently as either purported fact or as myth. Well, there’s a big surprise. The naked ape strikes again!
This dumbs down the Johor phenom to the point that it now shares nothing more than an equal footing with all other bipedal cryptid research currently under way across the globe. Pack up the flash bulbs. We’re goin’ home.
Look guys I was just sharing my opinion, which is not the opinion of the BFRO as a whole. Yes the photos are most likely a fake, but I was trying to approach this with an open mind and some speculation. Personally I really want to believe they are real even though they are not.
Had I known I would turn into a punching bag for everyone that is anti BFRO I would not have posted. One thing that I continually see on all these forums is how everyone bashes the BFRO. It is to the point where it is becoming redundant and a joke.
Lloyd Pye has it right. We will never make any progress looking for Hominids because the Bigfoot community as a whole cannot get along and is one big dysfunctional family. “What A Shame”
Anyway I am not here to have a forum war with all of you anti BFRO guys. Your opinions are taken with professionalism and there are no hard feelings.
Sincerely,
Mike Aragona
BFRO Investigator New Jersey
Anyone find it odd that they look Malaysian much like Harry from the Hendersons looked like a middle class American? I think we create Bigfoot in our own image.
Having seen the pics (finally!?!) and recalling the comments about “sexual appeal” of the female’s eyes and/or the “Garfield” syndrome, about all I can do now is just shake my head in sadness and continue rewatching the Patterson/Gimlin footage. Too bad, so sad.
The comments made against the BFRO here are out of line; we were all taken in by this one.
We’ve all been following this so closely, and those of us who have done our own writing on this subject will now have to eat some serious crow.
If the whole point of this was to have the Johor forests declared a World Heritage area as has been suggested, I genuinely hope it is. We still have so much to learn there, and there could very well still be some large unknown mammal roaming free in those forests. My hope now is that an unknown population of orangs will be discovered.
Can anyone provide a direct link to where this is discussed on Criptozoo? I’m not seeing it. Thanks!
Neither photo has the bare skin area looking remotely real. And if the ‘female’ photo were a living animal she qwould have a major case of a bad skin desease!
Now look, what a better way to protect the hominids (if they do exist, lol) than this hoax? Look at all your reactions !!! Who will ever believe another malaysian johor sighting now? I think an emptiness of proof is not a proof of emptiness, as we say in france. By making fools of ourselves and all those that got involved in this hoax, they protect the hominids from further interest. Or so i think.
“Personally I really want to believe they are real even though they are not.
Had I known I would turn into a punching bag for everyone that is anti BFRO I would not have posted. One thing that I continually see on all these forums is how everyone bashes the BFRO. It is to the point where it is becoming redundant and a joke.
Lloyd Pye has it right. We will never make any progress looking for Hominids because the Bigfoot community as a whole cannot get along and is one big dysfunctional family.”
DON’T BLAME THE BIGFOOT COMMUNITY! It exposed a hoax that threated to discredit it. What would you have it do, HUMILIATE itself, like BFRO does?
Phew! It’s over at last.
I can’t wait to know the reaction of Mr. Chow and Mr. Ang. Had they been fooled by the “guardians”?
Let’s give them a chance to explain..
jjames,
Here is the direct link to the discussion.
We cannot dismiss these photos as hoaxes. We must have faith that these can still be real. I can not believe the negatism and doubt of the people here.
JUST KIDDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The top picture to me looks like it could possibly be a person in costume, and the second picture looks to be a “display” or sculpture, artwork, or museum display or exhibit, as someone posted a similar comment above.
I bet someone will recognize the photos, and we will know more soon.
Anyone seen this exhibit? Have a clue? And let’s all try to stay on topic.
Dark-Obsessor,
The link to the site is in the post above, in the text above the photos.
The comment by myself directly above this one has the link to the discussion of the photos and their source.
Whos’s going to buy the book when it’s released? Hehe
They said there were 14(?) photos altogether and 3 will be in the book.
To me the two pics don’t even look like they would be 2 primates of the same sub-species, even if they HAD been real – that should have been Vincent’s first clue. Skin differences, eye differences, hair length differences, and pronounced nose differences.
Something fishy is definitely going on with the Johor Hominid website. I don’t believe it’s “down for maintenance.” I was still able to link directly to an image on the site. It appears that just the front page has been taken offline. I’m trying to figure out a way to get to any of the discussions/forums to see if they’ve removed anything else, but I’m not sure of any of the direct URLs.
The “photo” of the male reminds me of the early scenes in 2001: A Space Odyssey. And those costumes were early ’70’s special effects!
Wow. A Walk-off that caroms off the facade in left. Ballgame. Outstanding job on driving this investigation Craig and Loren. Three “huzzahs” to both of you. This is a prime example of why Cryptomundo is the global leader in cryptozoology and why this online resource is a cyber landmark.
Sigh. Oh well. I had just read the previous column, and now this. I agree that they look an aweful lot like stuff I’ve seen on TV documentaries about evolution and early man and his ancestors.
Dayum, cold busted! Call the Sherrif — someone’s credibility just jacked a fast car outta town..
Loren,
the photos are not mine, but they have been found and elaborated by Jean luc Drevillon.
I’ve posted the pictures in my forum and Someone has inserted the photos in the forum of johor mentioning my name.
Thanks Loren and Craig…
Another sad day for the Sasquatch…research community…”some day….this war is gonna end”…No bucks…No bigfoot…JMHO
seeing is believing…
ole bub and the dawgs
I predict that Lorenzo Rossi also discovers that the promise of money is also a hoax.
Woops. I see now that the matching photos were apparently discovered by Drevillon.
I just don’t understand yesterdays “Luring the tiger out of the mountain” statement by Sean Ang. Why do they ask us to find out that it’s just fake? And today someone finds out that it is in fact a fake! That’s strange.
Je parles “un petit” francaise, not enough to actually speak it, but enough to make out some written and spoken phrases… however I don’t know any Italian, so the link doesn’t help me much at all.
What is (are) the original source(s) of these photos?
Can comeone more linguistically adroit than myself help us with that?
Jeremy,
Check this newer post from Loren regarding the source of the photos.
Mike, I wouldn’t call one comment about the BFRO a punching bag. Also Fyre, no, we were not all taken in, some of us require proof. Dead or alive, show me the body, then I will believe. Too many “researchers” are swayed by photos, such as the Sonoma footage, and then release a news item saying they have proof positive. Can anyone remember just who was taken in by that hoax? I do, but out of courtesy will not repeat it here, that wound has to still sting for them.
As has been asked here previously, this whole episode (while immensely disappointing) makes me seriously wonder what will happen when the much-hoped-for clear, well-focused, well-lit pictures or video of an actual animal appear? I’ve always leaned toward the viewpoint that if they (the images) were good enough, that they would be sufficient. But there are just too many tools available now to the average person to create convincing fakes/hoaxes. Consequently, as much as I don’t like the thought, I truly believe only a body will do. (And no, I’m in no way saying that these latest fake photos were any good at all. They’re not.) Am I being cynical or can anyone out there visualize a scenario where pictures/videos would be sufficiently credible anymore to convince the public?
Well I had doubts when all we could see were drawings of the photos..that was bad science..And when you finaly found the source of the drawings that clinched it….National Geo, Discovery Channel specials on the origins of man etc…same type of high tech art…glad that is done now back to some real research.
Harpo:
Sure, if CREDIBLE pictures/videos were presented, then I think the public would still be open. However, these pictures are without question simple shots of people in costumes. I do not think this case is “proof” of whether or not the public will accept anything.
I’ll get on it, Craig.
And while I’m here, let me ask how that man thought we would believe he got this close to them? Unless he was like…making a Johor Hominid in the Mist video…lol!
I’m not sure how much anyone wants translated, but, what I got from a few posts is that a few people were explaining its likeness to the TV show and book.
If you want actual posts done let me know.
I’m amazed at how close the sketch by Paul Goodall is compared to the actual photo. Impressive work Paul. Considering he only had a head and arm to go by for his drawing.
While I agree the BFRO shouldn’t be a “punching bag”, any reference to Loh’s johorhominid website has disappeared from their home page without explanation. Deja Vu…
There’s a picture of the full body there… But yes, I agree; he is a wonderful artist.
muzmuz…you have it right…before my posting, I immediately pegged it for the opening of 2001: a space odyssey…you just beat me to the punch…by the way, the one on the top is about to use “tools” (a stone) for the first time…
Dark-Obsessor: When Paul made is full body sketch, the only released sketches at the time were the head, and the arm. Paul put them together in his full body sketch, and I think the resemblance to the actual photo, which he had not seen, is pretty darn good.
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS at least it is over and for Chow And ANG your Career’s are over. Even if you got HOAXED or was part of it it is still over. Wal-Mart probably needs some guys to go out and round up the shopping carts. You know when we all saw the pic’s of the eyes just from that little tid-bit we all said FAKE and you guys say all the pic’s and could not tell. I might find it hard to believe that you 2 were not in on the hoax.
Loki and muzmuz: The similarities to the ape-creatures in 2001 was noted weeks ago on the Johor Hominid site by me, when the first sketch was released. LeCope and I then showed Sean Ang various images from the film, as well as several from various “Walking with Humans”/”Walking with Dinosaurs”-type shows.
Malaysia…truely asia…!
This whole thing is nothing more but a traveling circus.
Like many who posted before with me this whole experience had the texture of Hoax. Now we learn yes it is a fabrication. Chow and Ang via their web site called some posters ramblings and demands for the pics and abuse uncalled for well where are they now? As expected the site is down and they seem to be dodging the burden of being exposed. I can’t believe after viewing the original source that they truly believed in the veracity of any of it. Chow and Ang must have been a party to the hoax and should feel the professional repercussions from it along with any and all of the abuse on-line posters can dish out.
You can shut down your site Chow and Ang but I guarantee if you ever pop your heads out of the jungle again there will be an army of Cryptophytes to verbally pummel you for this episode… and you deserve every bit of it!
planettom: Sorry…I wasn’t sure. I agree, then. :-p
Oh, I fully admit to being one of the many demanding pictures and going against their “be patient” ideas.
Thank God this is over. Can we move on now?
MIKE ARAGON, ill take your word on this situation i looked at the photos again and i agree some look real especially the female ape humanoid her breasts do look real. I just dont anymore about this ugly situation. Its a judgment call to the pictures but mike your opinion is worth considering.
crypto_randz, have you read all of the posts today regarding these photos? Loren posted the information regarding the book that these photos came from. The book was a companion to the DVD of the French documentary that these hominids were created for.
There is no doubt as to the source of the photos.
truly disapointing…..
Wow! The denizens of The Planet of the Apes have crash landed in Johor! And someone took photos! This stinks. I’ve been waiting since the beginning for the photos to be released and they give me special effects? The top photo looked like something from a cheesy werewolf movie and the bottom just looked like a dirty neanderthal rendering. They should be censured by the scientific community. This is unforgivable in my opinion. It’s one thing for some doofus to pull a hoax, but someone with a genuine scientific background? It would be the wise thing to do to just ignore any further “news” about the subject from these people. Their shameless trickery completely negates ANY credibility they might have once had.
Just a brief outline of the backstory for those that don’t understand my part in this…
Apparently a misdirected message to Loren at Cryptomundo went to our technical headquarters in California. Neither Loren nor I saw that one until it was discovered in the “editor” email box many hours later.
At 3 am my time, I was asleep. I barely had enough time to assess the situation when I got up and saw the internet chatter about the what-seemed-like an Italian discovery. I sent an email to Loren before I rushed out the door to work. I saw the comments and found the photos at approximately 6:30 am my time.
I then called Loren on the way to work, in case he had not seen my email, so he could make some comments on Cryptomundo about the hoax. Loren had not seen them yet, as his internet service was down and in the midst of being repaired.
Loren and I talked, he suggested some of what he wanted to say, but mentioned he would write the blog more in-depth when the internet problem was fxed. I typed and partially composed a post for Loren and added the photos as soon as I could upon arriving at my job. Loren soon got back online, and modified the post with his commentary.
Soon, the other photos came in, were found, and were posted quickly.
Now, I am just arriving home, nearly 14 hours later.
It has been quite a day for all of us at Cryptomundo.
Why am I not surprised?
The P/G film of “Patty” is our truest and best treasure ever.
It is indeed a sad state…
In my opinion, Vincent & Sean were not hoaxed as well, but were part of it.
Self worth and greed can make men do some pretty silly things.
Wow. I’m shocked. I never saw this coming… *note the obvious sarcasm*
I think I called Mr. Chow out as a hoaxer fairly early on. Still all the drama has been somewhat interesting yet frustrating at the same time. No matter how much I knew either
A. There were no photos or
B. The photos were hoaxes,
I wanted to believe (Just like Fox Mulder).
I’ve never seen anything so fake in my life. To the people who are studying for the existence of bigfoot creatures (such as myself): PLease take the time to look at known similar animals so you know what real animals look like. That was LOL awful. Just WOW.
It’s simple, of course it was a hoax. Otherwise it would of been reported by CNN, or the BBC. Sleazy? Yep. True? Absolutely