Monte doesn't have to prove it. I am sure there are many domainers here that have had this very thing happen to them.
I was recently doing a search on some .us.com I was interested in regging. I wanted to see variations of the same phrase. All were available. When I decided on the one, I went to reg it and guess what? It had been regged! Along with the other three.
Then I entered my own name. It was available. Went back to reg it. Guess what? It was regged.
There are several out there that appear to be registrars and provide search results. While you are conducting and entering the search results, the entered name is being redirected. It is then being redirected and thus ends up becoming part of the domain tasting game.
Just wait. You'll find one. And when you do, enter your own name and see what happens. I did check several days later and my name was dropped. Too damn hard to spell. Nobody would want my name unless you the mob, IRS, or exwives.