Malaysian photographer duped by National Geographic scam becomes focus of derision
A dream project in Kenya has turned sour for Tinesh Sritharan, who now faces public backlash and questions over donated funds
Malaysians were jubilant when news broke in late July that Tinesh Sritharan had been chosen by the renowned scientific and education non-profit to document the Great Migration at the Masai Mara National Reserve.
National Geographic explorers are selected by a global cohort of photojournalists, so to be chosen as one is considered a prestigious honour.
The news led to Tinesh receiving donations from sponsors for his trip, including a 15,000 ringgit (US$3,500) contribution from political party Malaysian Indian Congress.
But the joy crumbled just two weeks later, after it emerged that Tinesh’s email from National Geographic was fake.
The purported email sent to confirm his selection as an explorer was “a fraudulent letter that is not genuine”, National Geographic senior manager Natasha Daly was quoted as saying in local news website Says last Tuesday.
Tinesh, who built a career shooting weddings and concerts, said he believed he had been given a “genuine opportunity” and admitted that he “should have been more thorough” in checking the veracity of the offer.