I know people who do exactly that and yes, many of them do deserve to be treated just the same as the guy posting something from him mom's basement. DrDank is right on about how criteria can be established, I just don't have the slightest clue how they go about it.
If they put in a reasonable effort, sure, but I just don't buy it. I wish I could remember where I saw the pictures of the guy, but the whole thing seems fishy to me. Is the person taking the pictures the same person who claimed the phone after he left it?