The Australian man who went public defending his supposedly Vietnamese name, Phuc Dat Bich, has revealed it was a hoax.
In a post on his Facebook page the man, who now identifies only as 'Joe Carr', states that this Vietnamese gag name had started out as a joke.
SBS News has been unable to verify if 'Joe Carr' is his real name.
His post comes hours after SBS News contacted him with concerns about the veracity of his name.
SBS's Vietnamese program found his name was highly unlikely to be real, given the name Bich was never used as a surname.
A screengrab SBS journalist Biwa Kwan's message to the man styling himself as Phuc Dat Bich. Source: Facebook
A screengrab of the man styling himself as Phuc Dat Bich's response to SBS journalist Biwa Kwan. Source: Facebook
"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?"
News organisations around the world, including SBS, the BBC, The Sydney Morning Herald, Fox News and The Daily Telegraph ran his story, promoting his alleged bid for acceptance of his name.
He even posted up a picture of what he said was his passport to prove it was his real name.
The man said he stood by those who did have culturally diverse surnames.
"To those who do have culturally specific and spectacular names, ignore the ignorance in those who may try to put you down," he wrote.
"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."
Joe Carr, aka Phuc Dat Bich's, Facebook post. Source: Facebook
Read his full confession below:
Do you remember the story; The boy who cried wolf?
Imagine that boy grew up into a mischievous man with 21st century technology at his finger tips.
I've never believed it's necessary for it to be mandatory to have your entire name to be published on social media. People should be free to use any name they desire. Facebook needs to understand that it is utterly impossible to legitimise a place where there will always be pranksters and tricksters.
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. 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?
It goes to show that an average joe like myself can con the the biggest news sources with ease.
I want to acknowledge the supportive 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.
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
