1. In 2000, the US promotion was halted after fraud was uncovered. A subcontracting company called Simon Marketing (a then-subsidiary of Cyrk), which had been hired by McDonald's to organize and promote the game, failed to recognize a flaw in its procedures.
Chief of security Jerome P. Jacobson was able to remove the most expensive game pieces, which he then passed to associates who would redeem them and share the proceeds. The associates won almost all of the top prizes between 1995 and 2000, including McDonald's giveaways that did not have the Monopoly theme. The associates netted over $24 million.
While the fraud appeared to have been perpetrated by only one key employee of the promotion company, and not by the company's management, eight people were originally arrested, leading to a total of 21 indicted individuals. The relationship between McDonald's and Simon Marketing broke down in a pair of lawsuits over breach of contract, eventually settled out of court, with McDonald's' claim being thrown out and Simon receiving $16.6 million. Due to a constitutional violation, four of those convicted of the fraud were later released as they were not initially charged with the offense.
2. In 1995, St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee received an anonymous letter postmarked Dallas, Texas, containing a $1 million winning game piece. Although game rules prohibited the transfer of prizes, McDonald's waived the rule and made its last $50,000 annual payment in 2014. Investigations later indicated that Jacobson had admitted to sending the winning piece to the hospital.
Wait a minute: Simon (the company managing the promotion) defrauded their client and stole almost all of the top prizes...and STILL made 16.6 MILLION dollars- from the same company they ripped off?
How???
[This message has been edited by tesmith66 (edited 10-07-2014).]
Another reason (besides their nasty tasting burgers) not to go to McDonalds. (Yes, I realize it was the marketing company's employee(s) that did the dastardly deed, but since I don't like McDonald's anyway, I'm stickin' with my rationalization and reasoning--or lack thereof)
Wait a minute: Simon (the company managing the promotion) defrauded their client and stole almost all of the top prizes...and STILL made 16.6 MILLION dollars- from the same company they ripped off?
How???
Breach of Contract. I don't have the particulars of what that breach was, though. Probably wrongfully ending the contract which within this breach was described.
Another reason (besides their nasty tasting burgers) not to go to McDonalds. (Yes, I realize it was the marketing company's employee(s) that did the dastardly deed, but since I don't like McDonald's anyway, I'm stickin' with my rationalization and reasoning--or lack thereof)
That story is worse that Wiki blurb. Many in the press didn't cover the give away after.
McD spend millions to solve this PR nightmare. Including Millions in 1 day give away. One winner got 1 million for being at a store when prize patrol drive thru. Suppose to be anywhere in 48 states... Reality? Not even close. Was a Big Scam on top of McD's games problems.
Two groups, both started around Chicago I think. 1 drove south and not very far. 1 drove to Boston area. Stopped mostly at stores in east PA, NJ, NY, and Boston area.
McD posted the store's location and time. You could see they drove interstate and stopped stores near by. East was a road trip to Boston. South went down X miles then return on same interstate and visit a few more stores.
Simon Marketing fraud was bad but I very rarely visit McD even now because of this. McD was saying Please forgive us but really a bigger scam By McDonald's. Worse, McD likely made up for the give away for sales bump that day.
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
Edit - Is this dumbass game still going on? I bought some nuggets and a coke at McDonalds yesterday. The coke had Monopoly pieces attached. (No. I didn't look at them. Couldn't care less.)
BTW... the nuggets were training treats for the dogs. We do Nosework (I call it "find it" class) with them. The coke was 'cause I was there.
[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 10-08-2014).]
I thought you were gonna say you bought coke in the McD parking lot to train the k9 in their nosework and the nuggets were their reward when they found it............
[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 10-08-2014).]
I get McDs frequently myself. I dont intend to win anything big. Its not a bad deal to get a free sandwich or meal every other stop though. I like Big Macs, 1/4 pndr with cheeze and the Fish sandwich. Their fries do suck...best are Rallys.
And this is a surprise to anyone? Come on they are all rigged by someone in the firm that started the giveaway or the company that promotes it, if you think any of them are on the up and up you are all dumber than a bag of hammers !
There is no place in the business world for character or honesty !
Steve
------------------ Technology is great when it works, and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't
Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.
[This message has been edited by 84fiero123 (edited 10-08-2014).]
Wait a minute: Simon (the company managing the promotion) defrauded their client and stole almost all of the top prizes...and STILL made 16.6 MILLION dollars- from the same company they ripped off?
How???
McDonald's had one of the kids at the counter handle the transaction ...
Publishers Clearing House is the biggest rip off of all time. They been pulling that scam for 50 years. I played their game one time for the hell of it. I turned in every stamp and envelope they sent me and kept records of everything. You have to do everything by the rules (that are near impossible to follow). I got stuff from them for nearly a year, and even on the final award day, I never heard if anyone won anything. I never spent a dime, but im sure enough did to easily let them give a million dollars to someone...also prob in the promotions company.
