fc. Fake video camera to scare off burglars, thieves and chasers

There are many idiots who think that anything resembling a camera is de facto a video camera, but the truth is quite different. Here is how you can legally make a small wearable fake video camera yourself. You need a small black plastic or cardboard box, between 25 ohm to 100 ohm power resistor that well dissipates heat, an USB plug for soldering and a standard 50 cm long USB cable to connect the device to an external +5 V= battery power source. You may also use a different voltage, but make sure that heat dissipation does not exceed 500 mW {P[W]=U[V] x I[A]=(U[V])²/ R[ohm]}, first. Keep in mind that a too hot resistor may melt the plastic box or even ignite a cardboard box, so the circuit must be thoroughly tested before you use it.

Build instructions

Connect the power resistor to the connector’s outer pins, leaving the inner two data pins free. Make sure that the pins are firmly connected. Plug the

connector in the cable and make padding, so there would be no rattling sound when the camera is moved. You may also add a 3.5 mm audio connector outlet or a part of a cut off part of an old electric circuit to make the fake camera appear more realistic. Next, use a pair of compasses with spikes on both ends to engrave a small digital camera face with a peek whole in the middle. Color the inside of the circle with a mat black paint to make it appear different than the rest of the box. Not persuasive enough? You may also drill a small round whole and glue on a broken camera module, such as OV2640. Don’t cut off the camera flat connection cable to make it appear that the camera is connected to an ESP32-CAM module. A small piece of flat cable is usually be seen, if a whole is wider than the round part of the camera that protrudes through the whole. It is a good idea to place the camera over the heat dissipating resistor, so it would appear as it would have been in operation. You may also place the fake camera in your car and connect it to a car USB charger.

It really works!

Burglars would generally avoid your car, if it seems to have a safety camera. But if you believe that someone is chasing you, just hang the fake camera from your backpack, so it looks like a dongle. Start pretending that you are filming him or her by stopping and slowly turning yourself around and then continuing your walk as if nothing would have happened. Chasers usually get crazy, but the others often pay no attention. So, now you know who potentially chases you!

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The trick above usually works, if you are a celebrity. There are also some other cases, which I’m not going to discuss here. However, if you truly believe that you are being chased by a group of people, hire a licensed detective with professional equipment to verify your claims… But a well placed fake video camera in your car or in your home would at least scare off most burglars and thieves.