For some time, a couple of other bloggers I know and myself have had suspicions about the validity of the identity of blogger Kosmo Krator or as I had heard him called, Pete Trippy. Turns out he is really a 44 year old man called John McKeage, not a 20 something Rugby Union loving bit of beef.
It turns out many had fallen prey to McKeage’s scheming, believing his sob stories about being robbed and even sending him money. The photos he’d used were hot, but hadn’t been updated in ages before a new batch arrived, that looked quite different. Tonight a facebook friend, who also had the same suspicions sent me a link to a facebook group devoted to suspicions about his identity. Now surfaces this article telling the whole story. I have never understood identity theft.
Not sure what you don’t understand about ID theft, Brenton. How it is done? Or why it is done?
The “how” is something we all need to be aware of, in order to avoid it happening to us! There are plenty of sources of information these days about “staying safe online”…
The why” is much more complex. In Kosmo K’s case the jury is still out. It could be that a couple of “white lies” snowballed. I wasn’t following his blog before you brought it to my attention, but I’ve had a look at the Tumbler copy which has not been taken down yet. He looks like a cool guy. I don’t read him as 20-ish though – too many 60s / 70s references – and I didn’t see any requests for cash. So maybe in KK’s case faking his age (and using someone else’s image in his profile) was the start of a slippery slope. There are other far more sinister ID thefts going on.
Someone as open as you are BP (and attractive) probably doesn’t see the need to fake who you are. But that openness can go against you if you are not a little cautious. You should speak with Shannon B. about his experiences…
Cheers, Polomint
It’s really funny because 10 years ago when I started coming online the big scare was that you never knew who you were talking to because they could be lying. I think with facebook/myspace/blogs/chatrooms there’s been some sense of false security that because you read someone’s thoughts/ideas and see some photos that you know them and that isn’t true. More people are online today than there were 10 years ago, but the problem is the same. Do you ever really know who you’re talking to unless you meet them in person?
I’m confused. He lied about his looks and his age – but apparently nothing else – and the gay community (or at least Brenton) is crying “Identity theft!” ?!?! Only in the gay community is someone’s looks and age the total sum of their identity.
Whose identity did he steal?! What appears to have happened here is that many apparently shallow people became friends with this guy, and even gave him money – apparently unsolicited. When they found out he wasn’t as young or as beautiful as he had let on they were upset.
Shame on this poser – but shame also on those now complaining.
I have never sent money to anyone nor will I ever. I have been asked for money and have refused to cries of how can I be so cruel and unkind. If you have time to spend online looking for money from older gay men who you think are so desperate that we will send money sight unseen for the hope for a toss in the hay, then you have time to look for a job. I worked all my life for what I have and it has not been easy. Yes I am alone and at age 58 my chances for true love weaken everyday. I have one firm rule..no money for sex…no money to strangers online. I have been hurt by men too many times who have supposedly wanted to meet me but when I have shown up at the appointed time and place…they are not there and had never intended to be. The worst was when I was supposed to meet a guy at his home. He gave me address and when I got there..it was only an empty lot. I felt stupid and old and used and I could just feel him looking at me from some hidden spot laughing at my pain. All I could do was lift my head high and walk away…bruised, hurt and vowing I will never do this to anyone. It will surely happen to me again I am sure…I am too trusting one of my faults. I have been looking for love for 45 years…nothing yet…never had a bf or a lover…meaningless sex, yes which was fun at the moment but once the cum dried, I was back where I started…alone and lonely. Why do we gay men do this to each other. We demand that the world treat us right but we treat each other like shit. I am 58 and in the gay world I am a has been. Think before you hurt someone no matter what age they are.
To the Mark who questioned Brenton (and others) claiming ID theft based on false name, false age: there is more to the story than that.
Reading the posts on the “Is KK real?” FB group it appears that he did use someone else’s image and name (Peter T. – obscurred to avoid compounding the offence) in his profile, and subsequently used images he had taken of a man he knew through his sporting connections as representing his own appearance and activities.
So at least two unsuspecting men had their faces / bodies used without consent to represent another.
Sounds like ID theft to me.
To the Mark who asks us to think before hurting someone: why hurt anyone at all? What can you possibly gain from that adolescent act?
Cheers, Polomint
Hey the guy lives in New Zealand, what else is there to do but make up shit to amuse yourself?