Update: Al Arabiya removed the article, Naharnet posted it without checking the source as well [Link].
Update2: Naharnet removed it as well.
I read this piece of news in Al Arabiya earlier this morning and posted about it, but as I was looking for other links on that story (Guy’s name was too weird), I fell on the Pan-Arabia Enquirer and realized it was a made-up news by the site and quickly removed the post few minutes later.
The funny thing is that Al Arabiya changed the text from the original article to exclude “a noted imbecile” without doubting the authenticity of the story. Until this hour, the story is still on their website. [Link]
Here’s the original passage from the Pan-Arabia Enquirer:
Fadi Flat-White, a noted imbecile, is said to have handed over $200,000 – around 200 times the iPhone 5’s estimated price on release – to ensure he is the first in the Middle East to receive the smartphone when it eventually hits shelves later this month. Flat-White made headlines earlier in the year when he ordered the first iPad 3 in the UAE for $500,000
And the one from Al Arabiya:
Fadi Flat-White handed over around 200 times the iPhone 5’s estimated price on release to ensure he is the first in the Middle East to receive the smartphone when it eventually hits shelves later this month. The same person made headlines earlier in the year when he ordered the first iPad 3 in the UAE for $500,000.
Now let’s wait and see which Lebanese TVs or news portals will be covering that story today.
PS: You have to check Pan-Arabia Enquirer website, it’s hilarious!