The complaint alleges that Jerome Jacobson, an employee in the security department of the Lawrenceville, Georgia office of Simon Marketing, and other persons outside of Simon, were the ultimate distributors of the prize pieces for the promotional games. However, prior to distribution, a Simon employee embezzled the winning high-value game pieces and conspired to have individuals fraudulently claim to be winners. After the game pieces are produced, they are supposed to be legitimately distributed, providing customers a random chance of winning. In producing and distributing the high-value game pieces, Simon is responsible for insuring the integrity of the promotional games. Simon Marketing Inc., headquartered in Los Angeles, was contracted by McDonald's to administer its promotional games. The scheme began as early as 1995, the complaint said. 'Those involved in this type of corruption will find out that breaking the law is no game.' 'This fraud scheme denied McDonald's customers a fair and equal chance of winning,' said Attorney General John Ashcroft. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division. Phenis, 50, of Fair Play, South Carolina (currently in Indianapolis, Indiana) Īll of the individuals are charged in felony complaints with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, which was filed in the U.S. Jacobson, 58, of Lawrenceville, Georgia and 'Dwight' Baker, 49, of Westminster, South Carolina Baker, 49, of Westminster, South Carolina McDonald's provided essential assistance in the investigation and has cooperated fully with the FBI and the United States Attorney's Office in the Middle District of Florida. The investigation, called operation 'Final Answer,' is continuing. More than $13 million worth of grand prizes have been corruptly 'won' by the co-conspirators in the scheme. The individuals, including an employee of the marketing firm that administers the promotions who embezzled winning game pieces, are charged with fixing the outcome of McDonald's contests-'Monopoly,' 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire,' and other McDonald's promotional games-by controlling the distribution of the high value prize pieces, such as $1 million grand prizes. – The Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation today announced the arrests of eight individuals involved in a nationwide scheme to defraud the McDonald's Corporation and its customers by fraudulently manipulating McDonald's promotional prize contests. Arrests Made in Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, Texas, Indiana and Wisconsin as Part of Nationwide Operation 'Final Answer'

Mcdonald’s monopoly scam