Breaking News! Is the Baltic Anomaly an Elaborate Hoax?

The strange Baltic Anomaly has baffled the world. But new information has now cast doubt over the whole story. Is Dennis Åsberg, co-founder of the Ocean X Team, actually an actor?

Background on the Baltic Anomaly

On June 19, 2011, the Ocean X Team used side-scan sonar to “photograph” a massive object deep in the Baltic Sea, approximately 260 feet below surface. Peter Lindberg, co-founder of the Ocean X Team, jokingly declared “Hey guys, we have a UFO!” However, after a new expedition, the Team discovered the Anomaly primarily consisted of large rocks. The exact nature of those rocks, which we call the Circle, as well as a 985 foot runway leading up to them (the Tracks), remain mysteries.

Since that time, the Ocean X Team has gone on a second expedition, released a few photographs and some video, and provided lots of mysterious information via interviews conducted primarily with the Team’s UFO-centric Facebook community as well as websites devoted to UFOs. However, very little concrete data has emerged. Skeptics, including us, have questioned whether or not the Baltic Anomaly is a “hoax” of sorts.

The Ocean X Team has vigorously defended itself from charges of a hoax. They claim to be ordinary treasure hunters who happened to stumble upon a strange mystery. They have assured the world that they want answers just as badly as everyone else.

Is the Baltic Anomaly a Hoax?

Earlier today, we received a tip that Dennis Åsberg, co-founder of the Ocean X Team, is actually an actor. His profile can be found at Statist.se, which claims to be “Sweden’s largest database of extras, actors, models and audience.” You can read the Google translation here. The person is identified as Dennis and the photos bear a striking resemblance to Mr. Åsberg. All in all, this appears to be genuine although we can’t be 100% certain.

Now, we would note that this does not prove a hoax. It’s quite possible Mr. Åsberg is actually what he claims to be…a treasure hunter. And indeed, the last acting job on his profile is listed as taking place in 2005. So, even if he is an actor, he could have given up on the profession. Or, on the other hand, perhaps he’s merely “playing a role.” Interestingly enough, he doesn’t appear to have been present during some of Peter Lindberg’s other treasure hunts.

Regardless, it’s suspicious. We’ve been wary of the Ocean X Team for some time, mostly due to their highly-charged updates, vague images, and strange explanations. But have they constructed an elaborate hoax in order to secure a big payday? We should note that they have secured a documentary deal with Titan Television, they’re currently seeking sponsors (possibly both corporate and individual), and they’re planning to market submarine rides for wealthy individuals to see the so-called Baltic Anomaly.

We’re willing to give them the benefit of the doubt but we’d like some answers. The ball’s in your corner Ocean X Team…

 

Guerrilla Explorer’s Coverage of the Baltic Anomaly

Recent Comments

  • Anonymous
    June 29, 2012 - 7:29 am · Reply

    Holy shit! Dennis is an extra… wow.

    Seriously. This is not breaking news.

    My guess is that when winter comes and team x cannot sail the baltic sea because of the ice, Dennis need an extra income or it’s something he’s doing for fun. Very few people can live on acting in sweden, even less as extras. Getting a part as an extra ss just something people do for fun.

    I recently found this site and thought it was serious. Please don’t prove me wrong with BS like this.

  • David
    June 29, 2012 - 9:08 am · Reply

    Oh, we’re serious alright…perhaps a little too much sometimes. 🙂

    We can’t talk specifically about Dennis’s career as an actor. And we certainly can’t discuss the Swedish television/movie scene. However, the fact that he was an actor raises the possibility that he is merely playing a role for the cameras.

    Part of the problem is that we really don’t know anything about the Ocean X Team. Based on the Team’s website, we know Peter Lindberg (apparently without Dennis) excavated a treasure back in 1997. We know nothing about his career since that point and we really know nothing at all about Dennis.

  • David
    June 29, 2012 - 9:12 am · Reply

    One more thing. It has come to our attention that this article was posted on the Ocean X Team’s Facebook page and was subsequently deleted. I’m afraid that sort of action doesn’t exactly instill confidence in the Ocean X Team’s credibility.

  • Anonymous
    June 29, 2012 - 3:42 pm · Reply

    That certainly IS interesting information. I had heard that a TV production was at the center of this. It sorts of sounds more like a reality TV “mystery” show than a documentary to me. So a co-founder is actually also an actor? The lines are getting a little blurry here. So who is the scriptwriter? What “locations” are they using for the underwater scenes? They do seem to be basing this production on some of the stuff that was written into the narrative for the Great Lakes Dive Company hoax from 2006 (as you ppointed out earlier).

  • Anonymous
    June 29, 2012 - 3:43 pm · Reply

    The Guerrilla Marketing Theory! Swedish companies have done exceptionally interesting guerrilla marketing campaigns before. Could this be something that is a marketing campaign. If so, it would make sense that Dennis is an Actor.

    Some sites (for example truthfall.org and thetruthbehindthescenes.com) have shown an image of a second anomaly which is supposed to be the object called the Gothic church window by the ocean x team. To me (or to my well trained imagination) it very much looks like a giant big foot. Surf the sites and look at the images. On top there is a head followed lower by a body with an arm, hand, and then a leg. It even looks like big foot wears sunglasses.

    Could this be a marketing stunt for something that will be revealed soon to be A science fiction movie with a giant monster perhaps.

    SpaceMike – Your Mike in Space

    Link to image
    http://www.thetruthbehindthescenes.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/baltic-sea-ufo-3.jpg

  • David
    June 29, 2012 - 4:10 pm · Reply

    Yeah, we don’t know what to make of this whole thing. To be fair, it appears Dennis hasn’t acted in several years. By itself, we probably wouldn’t pay it too much attention. But when coupled with their sensational statements, their banning of our fans from their Facebook group, and all the money at stake, we can’t help but feel a little suspicious.

    If this is all a hoax, it’s extremely well-done. But then how could they end it? We like the giant monster idea although we don’t know how they could pull it off. And after all this publicity, it would be difficult to just vanish, ala the Great Lakes Dive Company Hoax. Maybe they’ll just claim it’s “unexplained” and keep giving out little tidbits of information until everyone loses interest?

  • David
    June 29, 2012 - 4:25 pm · Reply

    Good call SpaceMike…that’s the sort of thing that raises our red flags. The only reason to withhold information is to keep people talking. Great idea if you’re conducting a marketing campaign, not so great if you’re conducting a scientific expedition.

    Can’t say we blame them though. The “unknown” nature of the Anomaly has giant money-making potential. After all, who’s going to pay for a sub ride to see an ordinary rock? That’s why we’re inclined to think this mystery will never be fully solved.

  • Anonymous
    June 29, 2012 - 8:45 pm · Reply

    A sub ride in the Baltic sea would not be very exciting. The visibility is 1.5 meters if you’re lucky. How about all this money people (David) keep talking about.

    How much would you estimate to be on stake and where would it be coming from? I don’t see the same potential as you.

    /same anon as first post

  • David
    June 29, 2012 - 9:12 pm · Reply

    Hi Anon,

    Good question on the visibility issue. Truthfully, we’ve wondered about that too. Regardless, they’re the ones who talked about selling tourist rides to the Anomaly. And to the best of our knowledge, they’ve never gone back on that statement. Hence, their arrangement with Silvercrest Submarines.

    The true value of the Anomaly, in our view, is the mystery. As long as its true nature remains a secret, there are plenty of ways to make money off it. The documentary, tourism, sponsorships, autographed pictures, books, speaking engagements, etc. As long as the Anomaly remains mysterious, we think people will stay interested. And as long as people are interested, marketing opportunities will always be available.

  • Anonymous
    June 30, 2012 - 2:48 am · Reply

    I’m not sure its a “hoax” as such. I do have questions on the nature of the “documentary”. It almost seems to me to be more of an elaborate “real time” screenplay, being acted out. We, “all the people talking about it” are a backdrop and backstory from which they are drawing “content” and “storylines”. At least, that is my interpretation. It may be that they are also researching a “real anomaly” and that is the focus of the story. It does get pretty hard to market if the anomaly is found to be something rather mundane.

    I did see the photos of the tourist sub, and I do have to wonder about the feasibility of using a tourist sub in limited visibility conditions.

  • David
    June 30, 2012 - 3:11 am · Reply

    Yeah, we’re with you on that one. When we say “hoax,” we’re thinking more like an orchestrated storyline to maximize interest in the Anomaly.

    So far, real evidence has been limited to a few vague images. And we have trouble taking their statements at face value especially after some of the things they’ve said in the past. We’re trying to give them the benefit of the doubt, but they aren’t making it easy.

  • Andy Clarke
    July 4, 2012 - 7:03 am · Reply

    @The Disbeliever. Sorry but your video is truly awful. The lighting and audio are appalling.
    To stay on topic though, the whole story has too many holes to right true. Nothing about this expedition feels right. The claims are wild and unsubstantiated, physical evidence appears to be non existent. Something fishy is going on in the Baltic.

  • David
    July 4, 2012 - 10:50 am · Reply

    Yeah, we’re pretty skeptical. We’ll see what happens during the next expedition, but we’re not too hopeful at this point.

  • Richard
    July 8, 2012 - 7:11 pm · Reply

    I am always amazed at mans desire to tear other men down before they have the facts or the knowledge to do so. Your story is about a “possible” hoax, you all but say this is a fake story or a contrived story then at the end you say you give them the benefit of the doubt. Sure does not sound like it. Mainstream media has been doing exactly what you an many others are doing! Wouldn’t it be just easier and more correct to wait for the facts before passing judgement. I understand the more controversial and the outrageous a story is (whether correct or not) the more people want to read it. But ask yourself………..do i have the facts, was it right to pass judgement before the trial! By the way…….you may think you have not passed judgement but you have. Just reread your words!

  • David
    July 8, 2012 - 7:36 pm · Reply

    Richard,

    We’ve followed this story since the beginning and have attempted to give it the fairest coverage possible (see our entire history of posts on this subject to see what we mean). Part of that coverage includes the reporting of facts as well as speculations regarding those facts. It also includes a healthy dose of skepticism. After all, just because someone says something is a “fact” doesn’t necessarily make it true. Unfortunately, liars and hoaxers are a part of life.

    The Ocean X Team has made numerous questionable statements in the past, many of which we’ve written about in our coverage. Dennis Asberg has acting experience (albeit from several years ago). The Ocean X Team created their website three months BEFORE they claim to have discovered the Anomaly. And now, they’re attempting to turn their publicity into a major financial windfall, complete with a documentary, submarine rides, picture sales, sponsorships (it appears they’ve already used equipment from their sponsors to look for shipwrecks at a separate site), and most recently a clothing line. All of this doesn’t necessarily mean a hoax is at work, but it’s enough to raise a few red flags in our mind.

    If you want someone to ask the hard questions, you’re in the right place. We don’t pass judgements but we do state our opinions. If we’re wrong, we’ll admit that as well. On the other hand, if you’re looking for people who just accept things at face value, you’re probably better off seeking information from the Team’s Facebook page.

    Thanks Richard and we hope you stick around!

  • Anonymous
    July 12, 2012 - 8:56 am · Reply

    To the author of this article: Shame on you!:( So WHAT if he’s an actor?? He can’t also be a diver and have a hobby? It’s “reporters” (if that’s what you want to call yourself) like you that is the reason society is where it is.

  • David
    July 12, 2012 - 12:30 pm · Reply

    Shame on us? You must be joking. Why should we feel ashamed for revealing the truth?

    Dennis’s acting experience is relevant since it calls into question the entire scenario laid out by the Ocean X Team. He’s done enough work to have a little experience, but not enough work to be widely known. In other words, if this is a hoax, he’s the perfect person to “play a role” for the camera.

  • Diamond Fingers
    August 8, 2012 - 2:59 pm · Reply

    You must be hurting for attention ! this story isn’t hype and these guys have always been true to what they are doing – exploring – and they deserve much better then this kind of discredit. They said the same about Columbus when he was certain there was land to be found. Shame on you

    • David Meyer
      August 8, 2012 - 3:09 pm · Reply

      Diamond Fingers,

      Please see our comments on July 8. Suffice it to we’ve followed this story since the beginning and have attempted to give it the fairest coverage possible (see our entire history of posts on this subject to see what we mean). If you want someone to ask the hard questions about the Baltic Anomaly and the Ocean X Team, you’re in the right place. If you’re looking for people who just accept things at face value and refuse to question anything, you’re better off seeking information from the Team’s Facebook page or their various interviews with UFO sites.

      Thanks.

  • R
    September 8, 2012 - 9:15 pm · Reply

    My interest in the Baltic Anomaly is waning recently. This does appear to have characteristics of a hoax and perhaps even for promotional purposes. As of now it doesn’t appear anybody cares about it anymore so if it were a promotional hoax, they missed their window of opportunity. So maybe it’s not a hoax, I dunno. Kinda on the fence.

    Based on the description of the object, I’m reminded of some Russian stories of Siberian origin about structures made of stone and metal in round dome shapes. There is even a fringe theory that the Tunguska event was the Russians destroying the evidence for whatever reason. The Baltic Sea is well West of the Urals though. Still doesn’t mean there aren’t any goodies down there or in the Barents Sea. Or the North Sea for that matter. Those are all sunken continental areas with visible river canals on ocean floor maps.

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