We thought that everyone enjoyed the first few television spots for Sony's new "It Only Does Everything" ad campaign -- but apparently, the Nigerian Federal Government was none too pleased with the commercial's jab at internet fraud. For those who missed the commercial, the offending line was, "You can't believe everything you read on the internet. Otherwise, I'd be a Nigerian millionaire by now." In response, government officials in Nigeria demanded an apology from Sony, as well as the immediate removal of the commercial.
Sony was quick to issue just such an apology, and has since replaced the original ad with a new version that swaps out the incredulous statement with a less controversial one: "That's how World War I got started." We can't wait to see the next edit once the three surviving WWI veterans start raising a stink.
[Via MaxConsole]
Sony edits PS3 ad due to backlash from Nigerian government
by Griffin McElroy 
on Sep 11th 2009 8:00PM
122
Reader Comments (120)
Posted: Sep 12th 2009 2:35AM (Unverified) said
Maybe 4th world countries with corrupt governments should focus on their own problems first?
Posted: Sep 12th 2009 2:56AM Mattchewie said
Whats worse is that "thats how WW1 got started" makes no sense!!!!
It extracts humor from the commercial, makes it so it doesn't really jive with the theme of said commercial and in the end, the nigerian spam is real and its not like the gov officals don't know it...........jeez
It extracts humor from the commercial, makes it so it doesn't really jive with the theme of said commercial and in the end, the nigerian spam is real and its not like the gov officals don't know it...........jeez
Posted: Sep 12th 2009 4:27AM (Unverified) said
Plesteshon sureeee
Posted: Sep 12th 2009 5:35AM (Unverified) said
@ Special Agent Steve - the 'g' is soft, not hard. It's pronounced as the French would pronounce it.
Posted: Sep 12th 2009 8:23AM (Unverified) said
I guess the joke went flat for people who didn't know. I thought it was hilarious but realized that not a lot laughed with me.
The joke was based on an ebay scam: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advance-fee_fraud
Now, Nigeria is ridiculous asking for an apology. They should ask the frauders responsible for giving them such a bad rep.
The joke was based on an ebay scam: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advance-fee_fraud
Now, Nigeria is ridiculous asking for an apology. They should ask the frauders responsible for giving them such a bad rep.
Posted: Sep 12th 2009 11:24AM Alienmastermind said
Look, the Nigerian criminal element are a pack of vicious morons. They're like ticks on the ass of society. Nigeria got offended by people telling the truth? Well, Nigerians use the ADA funded IP Relay service to get American men and women to make their phony phone calls for them.
Look up 'To Catch A Con Man' on Youtube. They bust a ring of these frauds, and send an XBox overseas that just disappears off of their GPS tracking system the second it hits the shores of Nigeria. Proving that the police, the customs, even the local DHL office was in on it.
In the words of Fenster from Usual Suspects 'Fuck*Em'.
Look up 'To Catch A Con Man' on Youtube. They bust a ring of these frauds, and send an XBox overseas that just disappears off of their GPS tracking system the second it hits the shores of Nigeria. Proving that the police, the customs, even the local DHL office was in on it.
In the words of Fenster from Usual Suspects 'Fuck*Em'.
Posted: Sep 12th 2009 11:53AM Kaio said
Who gives a fuck about Nigeria? Are they buying PS3s? Pluse the joke was true, Nigerians are well known for stealing from gullible people online, that's why its so funny.
Posted: Sep 12th 2009 2:01PM Engisneer said
I had so much respect for sony after seeing the original but now I'm just thinking PusSi3s...
It's just too true to edit out...
It's just too true to edit out...
Posted: Sep 12th 2009 3:00PM Nigeria said
This thread fills me much with lulz and sadness, though I'm still undecided as to which is the overriding emotion.
Posted: Sep 12th 2009 4:55PM Addfwyn said
I don't really think Sony should apologize for this. I'm not saying all Nigerians are criminals, obviously that's impossible. It'd be like saying every Italian is in the Mafia. But that said, it IS a real crime problem, and if anything it may actually help a couple people to realize there is a nigerian scam out there. Probably not, but it won't hurt. Denying the problem exists doesn't solve it. Sony isn't saying all Nigerians are criminals, they are simply referencing a specific crime.
Heck, I live [lived] in Japan for a while, and just about all illegal crime, brothels, etc. there are run by the nigerians. I don't know why, but that is the case. I still don't think that all nigerians are criminals, but that doesn't mean I am going to ignore the fact that most nigerians in Japan are dealing in questionable activity. So why is it so hard for people to accept that there are in fact SOME Nigerians committing fraud? The government needs to stop trying to hide that fact and just do something about it. Then nobody would make fun of it.
Heck, I live [lived] in Japan for a while, and just about all illegal crime, brothels, etc. there are run by the nigerians. I don't know why, but that is the case. I still don't think that all nigerians are criminals, but that doesn't mean I am going to ignore the fact that most nigerians in Japan are dealing in questionable activity. So why is it so hard for people to accept that there are in fact SOME Nigerians committing fraud? The government needs to stop trying to hide that fact and just do something about it. Then nobody would make fun of it.
Posted: Sep 12th 2009 4:57PM The 7th Number said
I dont know what is more funny....
- The guy saying you cant believe everything on the internet, when every sony rumor ends up true.
or
- They advertise high def gaming and blu ray while only packaging in a composite cable with the system, not allowing you to use the system to its full potential out of the box.
- The guy saying you cant believe everything on the internet, when every sony rumor ends up true.
or
- They advertise high def gaming and blu ray while only packaging in a composite cable with the system, not allowing you to use the system to its full potential out of the box.
Posted: Sep 12th 2009 9:06PM NIck PSN ID Rattlehead91 said
Well the first one is poking fun at how Sony cannot keep anything under wraps, so that's intentionally funny.
The second one is pretty funny, too, if you think about it. However, since Sony is in the business of selling component cables and HDMI cables, why would they want to package that stuff in?
>$5 HDMI cables for the win, anyway.
Reply
The second one is pretty funny, too, if you think about it. However, since Sony is in the business of selling component cables and HDMI cables, why would they want to package that stuff in?
>$5 HDMI cables for the win, anyway.
Posted: Sep 15th 2009 5:59AM Fane1024 said
They do that because: a) PS2 component cables work, so if you have a HDTV, you probably already have cables that work; b) most people still don't have HDTVs, so they couldn't use more advanced cables (how many redundant sets of cables do you want them to include?); c) as Nick said, dirt-cheap HDMI cables can be found online. Should they also include optical digital cables? How about S-Video or SCART? I wish Sony hadn't bothered to include an ethernet cable I'll never use.
Reply
Posted: Sep 12th 2009 5:29PM (Unverified) said
is it just me or does that kid with the glasses look like that wow player on southpark
Posted: Sep 12th 2009 9:27PM Akashic said
Thats so funny because I've finally received my own Nigerian scam email on the 8th.
"Dear Friend,
Please accept my apology for not contacting you earlier before now due to my tight schedules. I am very happy to inform you about my success in getting that money under the cooperation of a new partner from Paraguay; Presently I'm in London with the partners for some new projects with the money.
Contact my Priest in Lagos state, federal Republic of Nigeria, because I have left the instruction with him on your behalf and instructed him where to send the $5,000,000.00. without any further delay for your compensation.
Remember that the $5,000,000.00. Is in draft, not cash, so you need to send to him you’re full Information where the draft/check will be posted/delivered. I appreciated your efforts at that time very much so feel free to get in touched with him.
As at the time I was leaving Nigeria he was the only one I could trust with that kind of money, he is a very simple and understanding person. His name is Rev.Fr.Emmanuel Manu of ,Email(revfather.emmanuel@yahoo.no) NOTE: BELLOW IS THE REQUIRED INFORMATIONS YOU WILL SEND TO MY PRIEST:-
(1) YOUR FULL NAMES
(2) YOUR HOUSE ADDRESS
(3) YOUR DIRECT CELPHONE NUMBER AND HOUSE PHONE WITH FAX IF ANY.
So feel free to get in touch with him and discuss with him how the amount will reach you. Please do let me know immediately you contact him to receive it, so that we can share the joy after all the suffering at that time.
As at the moment, I am very busy here because of the projects which I and the new partner have at hand. Finally, remember that I had forwarded instruction to the priest on your behalf to receive that money, so you get in touch with him and he will send the amount to you without any delay.
Here is his email address again (revfather.emmanuel@yahoo.no)
Regards
MR.KENNETH HOWARD"
"Dear Friend,
Please accept my apology for not contacting you earlier before now due to my tight schedules. I am very happy to inform you about my success in getting that money under the cooperation of a new partner from Paraguay; Presently I'm in London with the partners for some new projects with the money.
Contact my Priest in Lagos state, federal Republic of Nigeria, because I have left the instruction with him on your behalf and instructed him where to send the $5,000,000.00. without any further delay for your compensation.
Remember that the $5,000,000.00. Is in draft, not cash, so you need to send to him you’re full Information where the draft/check will be posted/delivered. I appreciated your efforts at that time very much so feel free to get in touched with him.
As at the time I was leaving Nigeria he was the only one I could trust with that kind of money, he is a very simple and understanding person. His name is Rev.Fr.Emmanuel Manu of ,Email(revfather.emmanuel@yahoo.no) NOTE: BELLOW IS THE REQUIRED INFORMATIONS YOU WILL SEND TO MY PRIEST:-
(1) YOUR FULL NAMES
(2) YOUR HOUSE ADDRESS
(3) YOUR DIRECT CELPHONE NUMBER AND HOUSE PHONE WITH FAX IF ANY.
So feel free to get in touch with him and discuss with him how the amount will reach you. Please do let me know immediately you contact him to receive it, so that we can share the joy after all the suffering at that time.
As at the moment, I am very busy here because of the projects which I and the new partner have at hand. Finally, remember that I had forwarded instruction to the priest on your behalf to receive that money, so you get in touch with him and he will send the amount to you without any delay.
Here is his email address again (revfather.emmanuel@yahoo.no)
Regards
MR.KENNETH HOWARD"
Posted: Sep 13th 2009 8:43PM Jacksons said
Unbelievable how overly sensitive the world has become.
Posted: Sep 14th 2009 7:13PM (Unverified) said
in canada it still airs i saw 10 minutes ago
Posted: Sep 29th 2009 8:07AM (Unverified) said
did you know that the head of sony and execs came here to nigeria to apologise? so i guess you sony didnt get ur memo...how did you put it?... fuck you.
