Wiimote broken screen faker sets up PayPal link to cash in

We've been pretty lenient with Wiimote disaster pictures so far -- we're looking at you, Tyler -- since they're just so dang funny. But now Mr. Mmcheacher had to go and ruin it for everyone by faking a disaster of his own, and expecting people to fork over PayPal dollars to buy him a brand new laptop. Mmcheacher put up a cute little blog with that picture up above, along with a sad story of Wiimote strap-breaking woe, hoping to win some pity dollars with that "cracked LCD" of his, him being a student and all. Next, (for those potential pranksters out there taking notes), Mmcheacher tipped us about the blog, and had a friend tip us 16 minutes later, completing this marvelous deception. Unfortunately for him, that screensaver he's using has been around the internet a time or two, and he's not fooling anyone. Sorry to ruin the party, Mmcheacher -- if that's even your real name -- but perhaps you can try a little harder next time around?

UPDATE: Sorry to ruin the fun, but after this post went up, the aforementioned Mmcheacher (whose real name is Michael Parker McEachern, we've discovered) swapped his tale of woe for a NSFW page of hate, so we pulled the link. Now you'll just have to use your imagination. Or you can email him at [e-mail] or [e-mail] -- maybe he'll send you a screencap.

[Jeff @ Dec 7th 2006 11:31PM]

Guess what, I'm a student too...I bought a Wii and 6 games for it...how you ask? I worked for it! No one is helping me get by, I work almost everyday to get by. I would never resort asking people to donate me a Wii...I would never feel right even if I did.

[Digitalosh @ Dec 8th 2006 1:31AM]

i, for one, am gonna donate. Not that you particularly deserve it, but because there is no harm in your little venture.

[Billy @ Dec 7th 2006 10:55PM]

Oh man totally owned

[John Doe @ Dec 7th 2006 11:00PM]

looser. Check that cheap looser.

[James Whited @ Dec 7th 2006 11:02PM]

Those headphones look like a stephoscope. Anyone agree with me on this?

[Stoked x 10 @ Dec 7th 2006 11:03PM]

flop

[soopergooman @ Dec 7th 2006 11:05PM]

Hell I need a alot of money to get ankle surgery but do you see me out with a paaypal donate button?! Hell even his picture is fake. It was designed by some guy for the PSP. What a total loser, I hope his lappy gets busted if you know what I mean...

[Kamall Majeed @ Dec 7th 2006 11:10PM]

Ewww, an HP DV4000, I hated using that notebook.

[Russ @ Dec 7th 2006 11:23PM]

honestly with that busted ass hp.. it looks like karma's already done been working on this fool... you're doing something wrong buddy..

[Russ @ Dec 7th 2006 11:29PM]

yeah thanks for clearing that up ric... really.. i'm sure it mattered.. everyone was really fretting about not being able to give you their money... listen.. i'm sure you want one, bad.. even enough to plead like a damn fool.. but come on.. like there's no one out there that needs money more than you.. i'm sure lots do, and still don't beg for hand outs.

[Jeff @ Dec 7th 2006 11:36PM]

So why the broken screen(saver)?

[JP @ Dec 7th 2006 11:37PM]

I think Engadget may have just provided a definition of the term "pwned".

[Rai @ Dec 7th 2006 11:39PM]

You guys should try and click on the link... the guy is hilarious...

[Lim @ Dec 7th 2006 11:48PM]

Another lazy american..... go get a job, will you?

[Anonymous @ Dec 7th 2006 11:51PM]

Lim: Nice generalization, you moron.

[Andre @ Dec 7th 2006 11:54PM]

Omg, what a stupid looser. Check his blog out now; he's showing his true colors!

[sully @ Dec 7th 2006 11:58PM]

Rick, I really wish you would not have mistakenly posted a broken link. I was all excited to donate 3-4k so you could buy a Wii for yourself and all your buds...anyways I was trigger happy and decided to spend it all @ 1-800-Flowers thanks to their fine flash ad on your broken link. Best of luck to you!

[my moustache @ Dec 8th 2006 12:00AM]

Andre is right, the page is back - sort of. Idiot should have just tried to generate adsense traffic rather than blatantly scam people.

Interesting that Engadget didn't pull the link when it was dead, only when it had been replaced.

As for Rick, he and Lim are obviously destined for marriage.

[huy @ Dec 8th 2006 12:01AM]

i can't stand internet beggars. if a person offers some kind of service (ie willing to work for $$$) then fine, but if all a person has is a frivolous sob story then I hope they feel ashamed. Even if his screen was really broken he should still feel ashamed for asking for money.

what do i see... a piano keyboard, a cell phone, a calculator... yeah I'll save my dollar and donate it to a real charity that will help people struggling for shelter, clothes to keep from dying in the cold and food to keep from starving.

self-dignity. when did it become all right to beg?

[sully @ Dec 8th 2006 12:07AM]

"Why support destruction when you could support something positive, like making another human being just a little happier." - Rick

Tis the season you greedy twit. You are talking about a video game console. I wish there was a Paypal button I could push to make the money your parents blow every year on tuition, go to someone who deserves it. You know, people lacking shelter food and other various needs.

[PJ @ Dec 8th 2006 12:10AM]

so where do I find this screen saver????

[AndrewNeo @ Dec 8th 2006 12:13AM]

I think what's scary is as the picture is downloading, I'm seeing the exact same laptop I'm on..

[trudat @ Dec 8th 2006 12:18AM]

he has a facebook, too. lol.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=11402957&hiq=michael%2Cparker

[Matt Sledge @ Dec 8th 2006 12:29AM]

And now the blog is no more. 404'ed.

[droog @ Dec 8th 2006 12:49AM]

Apparently he's posted comments on here as well

[Paul @ Dec 8th 2006 12:49AM]

Perhaps he should auction off his Wii since he is too stupid to operate it properly.

[Me @ Dec 8th 2006 12:50AM]

I don't think there's anything wrong with Rick's post personally. He can set up a paypal if he wants, and if people don't want to donate, then they don't have to. It's just an option.

I think he's getting all this heat because of the Engadget post and it seems that he is just trying to get something for free... which is true, but is entirely dependent on who chooses to donate a dollar or not.

Maybe you'll get a Wii eventually Rick, but maybe you should look into saving up for one too while having that paypal account up so that you don't come off as a total leech on comment boards where people will totally bash you for being honest.

[innuen6o @ Dec 8th 2006 1:38AM]

you're a fucking moron.

[Chase @ Dec 8th 2006 1:44AM]

Haha.. That's my old screen saver.

[Mike D @ Dec 8th 2006 1:48AM]

hahaha asshat

[soopergooman @ Dec 8th 2006 2:00AM]

Well if that the case then, Hey everyone help me get my ankle fixed, the operation only costs between $6000 and $10000 Canadian. A real Bargain to help me get back on my feet literally.
Send thousands of dollars to my paypal via [e-mail]. Many thanks to those that help!!!

[innuen6o @ Dec 8th 2006 2:02AM]

I'd rather donate my $ to the Kim family. Now a widow with two young children. That's *real* plight, artard:

http://jamesandkati.com

[Sphynx @ Dec 8th 2006 2:33AM]

Forgive me my suspicion, but from where do I know that this isn't just fake as well?
I haven't found anything on cnet about this site.

[Deadturtle @ Dec 8th 2006 9:19AM]

Ah... and would you kindly tell me what relation:
Administrative Contact:
Nelson, Scott [e-mail]
413 Brighton Street
Salinas, CA 93907
US
831-759-2875
Technical Contact:
Nelson, Scott [e-mail]
905 Padre Drive
Salinas, CA 93901
US
831-759-2875 Fax: [phone]

And who is Mr. Scott Nelson and what does he have to do with the Kim family?

*shakes head*

[Todd @ Dec 8th 2006 1:38PM]

The James and Kati site has been running throughout the entire search and rescue effort. The donation link was setup by friends of the Kim family to enable donations to help pay for the search and rescue costs, setup college funds for James' girls, etc. The Kim family is grieving and does not want to do deal with donations directly at this time.

Please stop putting a -real- tragedy on the same level as this guy's scam and show some respect for the Kim family.

[airiox @ Dec 8th 2006 2:46AM]

totallyfake, don't donate to the fake kim foundation link!

[quiksilver @ Dec 8th 2006 2:51AM]

f*** head... get a job

[Lim @ Dec 8th 2006 4:14PM]

That's right, get a fucking job...what a loser!

[resource @ Dec 8th 2006 3:02AM]

All you beggars are pathetic.
Have a gimmick or offer a service.
Otherwise go away.

Anyway engadget owned his ass.

[Devon @ Dec 8th 2006 3:49AM]

the downside to living in a capitalistic society. everyone wants to make a quick buck...at least he was creative, or tried to be.

[TH @ Dec 8th 2006 5:18AM]

Wii was just released in the UK, and someone in London was playing Wii Bowling when his strap broke.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42398000/jpg/_42398072_paul_da_silva416.jpg

[tyler @ Dec 8th 2006 8:54AM]

that keyboard in the background looks kinda small

[Eric @ Dec 8th 2006 11:32AM]

Scott Nelson was a friend of the Kim's who stepped up to be a contact person while they were missing... It's a shame they removed all the previous information on that link, it told you who set it up and why before. Also, this exact link was posted on cnet news site, and I believe even engadget before.

[your left nut @ Dec 8th 2006 9:22AM]

Big surprise it's an MS 360 fanboy who did it...they are not the brightest video gamers out there.

[steve @ Dec 8th 2006 9:31AM]

haha your left nut and sony fanboys are bright?

[track2 @ Dec 8th 2006 10:17AM]

Great, Capitalism in action!

Anyone have a screenshot of his blog when it was up?

[kutluch_2001 @ Dec 8th 2006 10:27AM]

Check out the read link now. I think he is bitter.

[Shon @ Dec 8th 2006 12:16PM]

pwned by engadget!

[Mr. Mike @ Dec 8th 2006 12:52PM]

Aw man, I want to see the NSFW page.

Rick, I visited your donation page. Bad news buddy; it seems you're a confirmed, certified and fully documented low-life. Sorry man, someone had to tell you and your friends and family asked me to do it.

The good news is that after two weeks, Beggin' Rick has only accumulated $6.34 (and I think his mom gave him $5 to promise to keep his room tidy). You could make more money selling pencils all-the-while keeping your dignity and self-respect. But maybe that's not worth a cool new Wii (or even $6.34).

[milo @ Dec 8th 2006 1:01PM]

I'm still trying to figure out why the Kim family would need money.

He was a high-profile editor and owned several businesses. It seems they are soon to be healthy, and they presumably have insurance and relatives. There are a lot of other people out there in need of help who have none of these things. I do feel for them and regret their loss, but they hardly seem destitute.

Am I missing some important detail here?