Phuc Dat Bich is a fake, passport was photoshopped

WE HOLD our hands up. Yes, we fell for it. But for a few hours last week, it did manage to make us giggle and restored our faith in humanity.

Facebook posts re: Phuc Dat Bich

OK PEEPS. We admit it. We were hoodwinked.

Phuc Dat Bich, the Vietnamese-Australian man who posted a picture of what he claimed to be his passport photo on Facebook, has come clean.

It was all a joke, and one that he proudly says made a “fool out of the media”.

He says his name is not Phuc Dat Bich, despite his public declarations, and his passport is fake.

Posting on the social network site today, the man, who says his name is Joe Carr, took a shot at the media as well as Facebook for what ensued.

“What started as a joke between friends, became a prank that made a fool out of the media and brought out the best in the people who reached out to me,” he wrote. “It didn’t bring out the anger and darkness that we often see on the internet, but it brought a levity and humanity in a time we need it most.

“Out of this ordeal I’ve concluded not to trust the credibility of the media, it’s twisted by the hungry journalists who mask the truth.

“I just want those who are reading this to take a step back and reflect what the media have claimed about me. ‘What was his parents thinking?’ Funny right?”

Phuc Dat Bich’s Facebook account which he says is fake.

News.com.au asked “Phuc Dat Bich” via Facebook whether he would be willing to be interviewed, but he replied, “Nah, not really”.

The story of his “dilemma” made headlines around the world and resulted in hundreds of people

messaging him offering support.

He also garnered more than 44,000 followers.

After his post went viral over the weekend, he posted a message on Monday thanking everyone who had contacted him.

Today, he said he wanted to acknowledge those individuals “who have encouraged those with truly interesting and idiosyncratic names that populate in different cultures”.

“Hate and discrimination will remain if we continue to be so closed minded,” he wrote.

“To those who do have culturally specific and spectacular names, ignore the ignorance in those who may try to put you down. Continue being the best person you can be and make your mark on the world in whatever way you can — even if it is a simple prank.

“Yours sincerely, Joe Carr aka PDB.”

Fair enough.

Do you remember the story; The boy who cried wolf? Imagine that boy grew up into a mischievous man with 21st century...

Posted by Phuc Dat Bich on Tuesday, 24 November 2015