The McDonald's Monopoly Game Fraud
The Story
Jerome Jacobson was the head of security at Simon Marketing, the company that ran McDonald's Monopoly game. He stole all the winning game pieces for the major prizes ($1 million, cars, etc.) and distributed them to a network of friends and family, who would claim the prizes and kick back most of the money to him. For years, he rigged the entire national game, ensuring no legitimate customer ever won a major prize.
🚩 Red Flags
- All major winners having connections to each other
- Winners living in same geographic areas
- Prizes claimed by people with modest means
- No random distribution pattern in major winners
- The security director living far beyond his means
⚖️ The Fallout
50 people were indicted, including Jacobson and his network. All were convicted. Jacobson served 3 years in prison. McDonald's fired Simon Marketing and had to run a replacement game. The case inspired the documentary 'McMillions'.
📚 Lessons Learned
Even the most trusted promotional games can be compromised from within. Internal controls and oversight of third-party vendors are crucial. Greed can turn a secure system into a personal piggy bank.
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