New7Wonders of Nature may be a scam

[pub]

I have deleted all previous posts concerning the announcement of the Puerto Princessa Underground River because of the possibility of a link to a money scam. Nature contest linked to money scam

The recently concluded New Seven Wonders of Nature contest may be involved in money scam, reports said.
Social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter are buzzing with a news report that the New Seven Wonders of Nature contest required each contestant millions of dollars in fees.

“The Guardian” newspaper of United Kingdom has reported that Maldives and Indonesia withdrew their entries from the contest and allegedly accused organizers of forcing them to pay millions in fees.

The report added that Maldives government moved to withdraw from the competition in May after receiving a “surprise” demand for half a million dollars and followed in August by the Indonesian government, representing Komodo Island national park, who said the organizers wanted $10 million in licensing fees and $47 million to host the closing ceremony.

[pub]

A source used in the Manila Times article: New 7 Wonders of the World: The Scam Behind the Sham

“Each country that wanted to have a natural wonder considered for this contest had to submit a $200 entry fee. Their natural wonder was then included in the process of winnowing down by voting and experts narrowing down the list. Not much money to be had, right?

Wrong. That entry fee was just a drop in the bucket.

In recent months, it has finally come to light what sort of financial extortion Bernie has been attempting, and likely succeeding at in some cases, since so many countries are desperate in these economic times to give a boast to their county’s tourism income.”

[pub]

Try googling "controversy n7w"

[pub]

I feel sad having to report this...

[KeyserSoze]

I didn't like the idea of changing the 7 natural wonders anyway.