Clearly this is a subject many reviewers have a strong opinion about, and I don't blame them. However, rating this doc a 3 or a 4 because YOU think the victims were stupid for falling for the hoax? That's just unnecessary. This documentary series could've been more concise, which is why I've rated it a 7, but overall it is a brutal and angering conveyance of an abhorrent man who got away with doing these despicable things for 10 years and to almost 100 people. I have truly never been more disgusted than when I heard the words of the defendant's lawyer. He clearly stated even that he thought his client was not innocent, but then still had the audacity to bring up true cases of police misconduct uncalled for.
34 Reviews
No longer a "humorous" rural legend
mls418215 December 2022
I hate to admit that when I first heard this story in passing years ago I found the unbelievable gullibility hilarious. I didn't know all the details and hadn't heard the human stories.
This sick, twisted person preyed upon people's respect for authority (which shouldn't be a bad thing) as well as their desire to help and prove their honesty.
I am a pretty cynical person and I went in thinking I would end up laughing at these people. It truly isn't funny.
The perpetrator should spend the rest of his life doing serious hard time. A prank isn't funny unless no one is hurt. I can't believe McDonald's didn't do more to warn managers and employees. That defense attorney is almost as bad as the perpetrator.
Kudos to the dedicated cops determined to crack this case.
This sick, twisted person preyed upon people's respect for authority (which shouldn't be a bad thing) as well as their desire to help and prove their honesty.
I am a pretty cynical person and I went in thinking I would end up laughing at these people. It truly isn't funny.
The perpetrator should spend the rest of his life doing serious hard time. A prank isn't funny unless no one is hurt. I can't believe McDonald's didn't do more to warn managers and employees. That defense attorney is almost as bad as the perpetrator.
Kudos to the dedicated cops determined to crack this case.
Interesting Story
chopperDavo16 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This was a very good documentary series. Like many of Netflix's docos, it could have been much shorter and was quite repetitive.
It's a story well worth telling, and not something you could easily describe to someone else. If you did, they'd just assume the people involved were gullible morons, when they weren't.
Spoiler: I think the police did mess up when they found out the caller's identity. As one of them suggested at the end, they should have not immediately interviewed him. They should have surveiled him. Which was a shame, but I guess they were just so keen to get the guy behind it all.
It's a little hard to understand how this whole scam wasn't widely known. And that it could go on for such a long time.
It's a story well worth telling, and not something you could easily describe to someone else. If you did, they'd just assume the people involved were gullible morons, when they weren't.
Spoiler: I think the police did mess up when they found out the caller's identity. As one of them suggested at the end, they should have not immediately interviewed him. They should have surveiled him. Which was a shame, but I guess they were just so keen to get the guy behind it all.
It's a little hard to understand how this whole scam wasn't widely known. And that it could go on for such a long time.
If the parents of the McDonald's manager and her husband turned out to be brother and sister, it would make a lot of sense
wvsibpg20 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Wow, stupid people. This is a rare series where the actual person carrying out the crimes (the caller) is not the main villain. Some of the managers being so gullible, I can somewhat wrap my head around. The McDonald's manager and her husband? Like I said in the title, if these two were a product of inbreeding, I can understand why they are how they are. I mean seriously, the husband made the poor girl perform sexual acts on him, and he was thinking "yep a police office would tottally tell me to have an eighteen year old sexually service me" all in all, this series while interesting, will make you constantly yell out "are you kidding me?!" And get ready for an jaw dropping ending.
Mixed Feelings- Good thing? Bad thing?
lspomg6 February 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I have mixed feelings, so much so that I wanted to write a review which I never do.
I want to say I admire the two detectives who stopped at nothing to help solve who was behind the phone calls. And I appreciated hearing the other victims and their stories throughout the documentary.
HOWEVER- this is what got me: the interview of the Hardee's manager. He (like a lot of managers in this story) "accidentally" assaulted one of his employees. We see his story and it is clearly edited so the audience may feel a bit of sympathy for him. Regardless if he fell for a prank, this is still someone who assaulted an employee- should they have this moment of sympathy from the audience? Many of these people committed these crimes in a way to "appease" the alleged cop on the other end, without once stopping to think how they were hurting the victim in this situation.
Well, in a way, I guess it's a pretty thoughtful documentary because I truly cannot tell where the line of innocence is drawn with the managers who did these things to their employees.
The one woman who was giving a retelling of the story kept reiterating how this guy on the other end was basically a mastermind. I felt that was a bit laughable- why not just admit the bosses were gullible and fell for a prank rather than say this was a criminal mastermind? Both my boyfriend and I were watching the retelling of the "officer's strip search instructions" and said how it was immediately super fetish-based. I don't know if people were more gullible to perverts in the early 2000s, I don't know if sexual harassment in the work place was even discussed. But at least in today's society, I can't imagine someone gullible enough to fall for that, so I felt it was a bit redundant and ridiculous to be told "the caller was so clever."
In reality, this caller was just smart enough to call small-town bosses who would listen blindly to any cop's instructions. The key word here is smart ENOUGH. I think it's weird they try to say he was smarter than he seemed. He was truly only getting away with it because of the calling cards.
I'd like to end this by saying my heart truly goes out to the victims of these strip searches. The bosses consistently say "this ruined my life" but... how do they think these employees who were actually stripped and searched feel?
Overall, I have to give this docuseries credit for making me think.
I want to say I admire the two detectives who stopped at nothing to help solve who was behind the phone calls. And I appreciated hearing the other victims and their stories throughout the documentary.
HOWEVER- this is what got me: the interview of the Hardee's manager. He (like a lot of managers in this story) "accidentally" assaulted one of his employees. We see his story and it is clearly edited so the audience may feel a bit of sympathy for him. Regardless if he fell for a prank, this is still someone who assaulted an employee- should they have this moment of sympathy from the audience? Many of these people committed these crimes in a way to "appease" the alleged cop on the other end, without once stopping to think how they were hurting the victim in this situation.
Well, in a way, I guess it's a pretty thoughtful documentary because I truly cannot tell where the line of innocence is drawn with the managers who did these things to their employees.
The one woman who was giving a retelling of the story kept reiterating how this guy on the other end was basically a mastermind. I felt that was a bit laughable- why not just admit the bosses were gullible and fell for a prank rather than say this was a criminal mastermind? Both my boyfriend and I were watching the retelling of the "officer's strip search instructions" and said how it was immediately super fetish-based. I don't know if people were more gullible to perverts in the early 2000s, I don't know if sexual harassment in the work place was even discussed. But at least in today's society, I can't imagine someone gullible enough to fall for that, so I felt it was a bit redundant and ridiculous to be told "the caller was so clever."
In reality, this caller was just smart enough to call small-town bosses who would listen blindly to any cop's instructions. The key word here is smart ENOUGH. I think it's weird they try to say he was smarter than he seemed. He was truly only getting away with it because of the calling cards.
I'd like to end this by saying my heart truly goes out to the victims of these strip searches. The bosses consistently say "this ruined my life" but... how do they think these employees who were actually stripped and searched feel?
Overall, I have to give this docuseries credit for making me think.
Justice not served
LekyLekz19 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
It's not easy to write a review for this kind of documentary because our emotions are triggered by the content, and I think most people offer their opinion based on the story alone, rather than the features of the docu series. The documentary is somewhat a slow burn and for the most part, all the details have been covered. The portrayal of the victims is very well made and it is good to see them speak out on camera. The acts are disturbing, shocking and plain perplexing. You will find yourself cheering for the dedicated officers that were determined in finding the perpetrator, to thinking how in the world is it possible that people in authority and managerial positions were so blindsided and the horrible acts they committed will make you sick. I see a lot of people write on here how gullible those girls were, but if an adult, a manager, a full grown/mature person could fall for this hoax, why wouldn't a minor who has no sufficient life experience and is taught to obey authority figures?! If big corporations like Mcdonalds did their job, their store managers would do the right thing and in turn their employees would not suffer and many people would not have gone through this horrible ordeal. In any case, justice has not been served and those who have a good lawyer can truly walk free.
Can't Believe This Can Happen
PalmBeachG6 January 2023
When I first started watching this documentary, I started laughing so hard at the unbelievable gullible manager and victim that was going along with what was being suggested on the phone - and was also laughing at the narrator's description of what was happening. At first it seemed like it was one incident in a small southern town and I was thinking I can't believe there are towns out there where people could be so innocent and believe such a thing. Being from Chgo suburbs I thought this would never happen where I live - no one could fall for such a thing. Then they got into how many incidents all over the United States this happened, and started announcing the towns and I couldn't believe that it happened also in Oak Brook, IL - my stomping grounds - and the actual headquarters at the time of the fast food company. By the time the doc was all over I still can't believe quite honestly that people fall for this, but it wasn't so funny anymore. I am sure that there are many other victims out there that are just so embarrassed that they got taken they never reported it and suffered all alone, so if it helps others to see this, there is value in airing it and also for a warning to not be afraid to speak up; know your rights at work.
An unfortunate true story about finger pointing
DanTheButler22 December 2022
Wasn't too hooked on watching this at first. I was thinking what's the worst that could happen from a prank phone call? The story is incredibly sad and dark. The fact that this person did this with the idea that it wouldn't come back to them is horrible and disturbing.
The aftermath is basically a blame game and it gets pretty toxic. It all started with one individual's cruelty snowballing into innocent victims and their supervisors not being able to distinguish right from wrong. The domino effect leaves some with traumatic experiences and ruins the lives of suckers who do not think twice.
I always love Netflix docs, and while this is no exception, it breaks my heart to watch people being preyed on.
The aftermath is basically a blame game and it gets pretty toxic. It all started with one individual's cruelty snowballing into innocent victims and their supervisors not being able to distinguish right from wrong. The domino effect leaves some with traumatic experiences and ruins the lives of suckers who do not think twice.
I always love Netflix docs, and while this is no exception, it breaks my heart to watch people being preyed on.
Intriguing account of deception!
camerong-7335719 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I came across this on Netflix in the past week long after I had seen the movie Compliance, which is based on these events. What I didn't know is that what happened in Compliance was (although highly accurate) was only one of many incidents which happened that were perpetrated by the same person or persons for all I know. It is astounding to find out that so many people could fall for a trick like this. It is also scary to find out that not enough people apparently know their rights enough to avoid this. I hope this docu-series is seen by enough people to wake them up.
This series did a good job of highlighting the hard work put in by the investigators and my hat's off to Buddy Stump for all his work. I think that every victim should have gotten equal justice and I was happy for Louise Ogborn because she seemed to undergo the worst abuse. I hope the sympathy this series managed to generate would help in preventing incidents like this in the future. I'm not sure about the guilt of David Stewart because the investigators seemed not be able to make a clear connection between the calling cards he bought and the calls made. Hopefully, the fact that he was eventually caught and tried would serve as a stark warning to him and others.
This series did a good job of highlighting the hard work put in by the investigators and my hat's off to Buddy Stump for all his work. I think that every victim should have gotten equal justice and I was happy for Louise Ogborn because she seemed to undergo the worst abuse. I hope the sympathy this series managed to generate would help in preventing incidents like this in the future. I'm not sure about the guilt of David Stewart because the investigators seemed not be able to make a clear connection between the calling cards he bought and the calls made. Hopefully, the fact that he was eventually caught and tried would serve as a stark warning to him and others.
I have never been so angry
kddom16 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I have never heard of this story until this documentary came out and it left me heated. I know times were different but not that different to know that no police officer would call you and ask you to perform a strip search for them. Putting that aside, the caller asks for the bra size and that doesn't even raise any red flags to any of these managers?? Now, lets talk about sick Walter. I don't care what any "cop" says over the phone, you do not spank or rape someone PERIOD. There is no type of reasoning to me at least as to why any of these managers fell for this hoax. I'm sorry I just don't get it. All they had to do was hang up the phone and call the real police.
What It Shows
doctorfixit9 January 2023
This program illustrates the fundamental moral depravity of the American people, the depravity of the McDonald's corporation, and the fact that no one should ever believe anything from police or others in authority. The fact that McDonald's managers in a position of authority were so eager to commit depraved crimes just because someone suggested it it to them is proof that the US is powerless against an evil, illegitimate government, an evil corporate oligarchy, and a general population that is ready willing and able to commit evil.
America is a lost nation. It is Sodom and Gomorrah on a supernatural scale.
This program illustrates the fundamental moral depravity of the American people, the depravity of the McDonald's corporation, and the fact that no one should ever believe anything from police or others in authority. The fact that McDonald's managers in a position of authority were so eager to commit depraved crimes just because someone suggested it it to them is proof that the US is powerless against an evil, illegitimate government, an evil corporate oligarchy, and a general population that is ready willing and able to commit evil.
America is a lost nation. It is Sodom and Gomorrah on a supernatural scale.
America is a lost nation. It is Sodom and Gomorrah on a supernatural scale.
This program illustrates the fundamental moral depravity of the American people, the depravity of the McDonald's corporation, and the fact that no one should ever believe anything from police or others in authority. The fact that McDonald's managers in a position of authority were so eager to commit depraved crimes just because someone suggested it it to them is proof that the US is powerless against an evil, illegitimate government, an evil corporate oligarchy, and a general population that is ready willing and able to commit evil.
America is a lost nation. It is Sodom and Gomorrah on a supernatural scale.
Excellent Telling of Horrific Events
marymcfarland-0186615 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Everything about the crimes committed as depicted in this story is gross. All of it....the not convicted caller, the staff who strip searched employees on site, the utter ignorance of staff who believed it was okay to not only strip search, but disgrace and sexually assault the victim as part of some "telephonic police procedure", the corporations that knew this was a problem and did nothing....it's just utterly mind boggling AND GROSS.
This story was very difficult to watch. But it is necessary to watch. If for no other reason...to educate people on the utter depravity that exists in this world and the too often absence of justice.
The documentary was well done. Definitely recommend.
This story was very difficult to watch. But it is necessary to watch. If for no other reason...to educate people on the utter depravity that exists in this world and the too often absence of justice.
The documentary was well done. Definitely recommend.
All Over the Place
zacharykelly23 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Strictly from an opinion of someone who enjoys crime-series documentaries, this review is based on the quality of the doc and not on the actual content of the doc itself... Simply put, it's all over the place, and not in a good way. The series sets up two episodes closing in on an individual who is guilty of these crimes. The third episode finally brings up back to this storyline in the last 15 or so minutes. I imagine there is some Netflix requirement that these series' need to be at least 3 episodes, but this could have been much less messy and much more concise in two episodes. Humble opinion.
Hard to watch
capncack-7113116 December 2022
Hard to watch if you are an intelligent, educated person, because you can't believe anyone could be so stupid as to believe they have the authority to strip search a fast food employee EVER under ANY circumstances unless they are cops. But these - uneducated, credulous, fearful - are precisely the "right" people to target if you want to scare them into heinous acts. Show is VERY slow paced, as these shows always are, stretching a one hour show into three hours. You have to give the culprit credit for his cunning, although you also have to realize what a pathetic worm he is that THIS is the way he has to get his kicks. Moral? We need to - NEED TO - educate our populace better. We need to value education in this country.
A rather sad indictment on American society
pearsonc-8622131 August 2023
A bit of a tough watch, but well worth seeing all the same. Two things that stuck me with this horrible saga is, apart from the terrible situation the employees found themselves in, the police who investigated the guy, arrested him with rather weak evidence that certainly was not 'beyond reasonable doubt'. We could see that as soon as they arrested him, it would be a long shot. They should have identified him and followed him to ensure that his purchase of phone cards was not just a coincidence with the call times.
The second thing that strikes me is the total obedience to authority figures that Americans seem to have (maybe this id due to the amount of police shootings there are?). Granted it's a cultural thing, but no way in hell in my country, would a manager (male or female) strip search a young female (in the back office) because a 'policeman' on the phone tells them too!
Literally unbelievable. Just feel for the young ladies caught up in this.
The second thing that strikes me is the total obedience to authority figures that Americans seem to have (maybe this id due to the amount of police shootings there are?). Granted it's a cultural thing, but no way in hell in my country, would a manager (male or female) strip search a young female (in the back office) because a 'policeman' on the phone tells them too!
Literally unbelievable. Just feel for the young ladies caught up in this.
Despicable crime
tsta-3537916 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I truly feel for the victims in this case who were completely violated. It was very courageous of them to recount what happened. It made me sick that people in authoritative positions didn't question the caller. There was a good explanation of coercion. However, in the cases where it got to the point of sexual acts, it should've been an even more glaring red flag. The lack of informing employees from the fast food businesses where this occurred was an absolute failure. The lack of care from police and victim blaming is absolutely appalling for what these employees endured. I have the utmost respect for the detectives who didn't let this go and were determined to locate the person responsible. I appreciated the lawyers who fought for the victims and hearing their input. I was disappointed with the ending as I'm sure everyone involved in this case was as well. I have a theory. The guy's brother was a police officer and spared no expense with the bail and attorney. I think he purchased the cards and his brother made the calls. I wonder if they ever looked into the brother. This was a well-made documentary that highlighted the need to educate on what is not acceptable from anyone in a place of authority. I'm happy one of the victims was able to get some justice. I hope to see more justice for the others though. Either that or karma intervenes with the evil person responsible.
Review the doc...
hilrnorr20 December 2022
The documentary was difficult to watch because of the content, but many of the reviews here are scoring it low because of the content the documentary presented rather than the way they presented it. If you aren't fascinated by the events, don't watch, but scoring a documentary low because you can't believe how stupid people can be is pretty stupid, as well. The documentary was well made. It could be slow at times, but overall, it did a great job presenting the information from the cases and balancing that info with true victims' statements. It's hard to believe that people could be so gullible and how compliant people can be when an authority figure is doing the instructing.
Could have been just one episode or max two!
iristhorvalds16 December 2022
I fast forwarded through many parts and still got the whole story. In an effort to maximize the shock effect on viewers, the same things are said over and over again and it all just really drags out. It becomes annoying very fast.
It could have fittet well as an one episode program; max two episodes, but I guess that doesn't sell as well?
It is of course still an interesting story and crazy how some people blindly follow instructions.
I should almost say "don't pick up these series" but it's still interedting to see, I would have just liked it a lot better if they weren't cooking so much soup on it. One or two episodes would have been plenty.
It could have fittet well as an one episode program; max two episodes, but I guess that doesn't sell as well?
It is of course still an interesting story and crazy how some people blindly follow instructions.
I should almost say "don't pick up these series" but it's still interedting to see, I would have just liked it a lot better if they weren't cooking so much soup on it. One or two episodes would have been plenty.
Horrific and Tragic
helenahandbasket-9373416 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I can't recall the last time I watched something engrossing and interesting on Netflix- the story only required 3 episodes to come together, and was told very well.
That aside, it's an incredibly tough watch. I feel proud watching the officer from Mt Washington- what a great officer whose work came second to none. His horror over the crime was our horror as viewers, and I found myself wiping tears away, as well.
I'm so sorry for all the TRUE victims of this monster, and the secondary monsters who were the real perpetrators of the many horrors committed on these young people. The attorneys trying to excuse this indescribable, horrific behavior is mystifying- yes, they were tricked into committing the crimes, but BY PHONE. No one forced these abhorrent deviants to commit the actions they did, yet they went forward anyway, making reprehensible decisions, AND THEN try to force the actions on to a monster on the phone, who at any time could have been ended, and it wasn't.
How these monsters can proclaim them the victims is beyond my understanding; one even goes so far as to discuss HIMSELF as the victim and makes the obligatory apology at the end of his interview, but only as it relates to his own experience. My God, he committed assault and rape on a young girl and all he could whine and complain about was HIS treatment in society. Even when a cursory apology comes, it's only in relation to HIM. Exactly what part of being a manager of a fast food establishment makes you IN ANY WAY QUALIFIED to perform strip searches of employees, much less cavity searches, or having any contact with an unclothed MINOR? I don't care what your flimsy excuse is, there's no amount of convincing you can provide to get a rational person to perform this.
The telling by the MA officer is infuriating- he's so full of himself and his abilities that, rather than taking the time to survey the suspect, is convinced of his supposed superior interrogation skills and blows the case. With zero proof other than very weak circumstantial evidence to go to trial, the inevitability descends and the case is blown to hell. As an impartial observer, I knew immediately there was no evidence a jury would convict with- only some calling cards that you see him buying. Of course no other jurisdiction will seek to prosecute, there's scant legal evidence and not much to charge this monster with under the law.
This is the most apt comparison to Nuremberg I've seen in quite some time- despite the voluminous claims recently to the contrary, that simply following orders is never a valid excuse for committing unspeakable crimes. Despite the sociologist claiming evidence of 6 of 10 willing to follow orders, that still leaves 4 people who would do the right thing. Please, as a society, strive to grow that 40%, and despite an order, do what's right.
That aside, it's an incredibly tough watch. I feel proud watching the officer from Mt Washington- what a great officer whose work came second to none. His horror over the crime was our horror as viewers, and I found myself wiping tears away, as well.
I'm so sorry for all the TRUE victims of this monster, and the secondary monsters who were the real perpetrators of the many horrors committed on these young people. The attorneys trying to excuse this indescribable, horrific behavior is mystifying- yes, they were tricked into committing the crimes, but BY PHONE. No one forced these abhorrent deviants to commit the actions they did, yet they went forward anyway, making reprehensible decisions, AND THEN try to force the actions on to a monster on the phone, who at any time could have been ended, and it wasn't.
How these monsters can proclaim them the victims is beyond my understanding; one even goes so far as to discuss HIMSELF as the victim and makes the obligatory apology at the end of his interview, but only as it relates to his own experience. My God, he committed assault and rape on a young girl and all he could whine and complain about was HIS treatment in society. Even when a cursory apology comes, it's only in relation to HIM. Exactly what part of being a manager of a fast food establishment makes you IN ANY WAY QUALIFIED to perform strip searches of employees, much less cavity searches, or having any contact with an unclothed MINOR? I don't care what your flimsy excuse is, there's no amount of convincing you can provide to get a rational person to perform this.
The telling by the MA officer is infuriating- he's so full of himself and his abilities that, rather than taking the time to survey the suspect, is convinced of his supposed superior interrogation skills and blows the case. With zero proof other than very weak circumstantial evidence to go to trial, the inevitability descends and the case is blown to hell. As an impartial observer, I knew immediately there was no evidence a jury would convict with- only some calling cards that you see him buying. Of course no other jurisdiction will seek to prosecute, there's scant legal evidence and not much to charge this monster with under the law.
This is the most apt comparison to Nuremberg I've seen in quite some time- despite the voluminous claims recently to the contrary, that simply following orders is never a valid excuse for committing unspeakable crimes. Despite the sociologist claiming evidence of 6 of 10 willing to follow orders, that still leaves 4 people who would do the right thing. Please, as a society, strive to grow that 40%, and despite an order, do what's right.
Why did the prosecutor not use voice witnesses?
nicktravascio22 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
First, it was an entertaining series and it gave a good look into how gullible many people are. But my point in this review is to talk about the ending. How does a prosecutor not bring in the most sure piece of evidence which are the witnesses. The victims talked to this perpetrator for two hours each. They would know his voice. You could have had twenty witnesses one after another identifying David Stewart by his voice. It's done in line ups all the time. Yet the evidence they used was his purchase of the calling cards and his work schedule only. It makes little sense.
Clearly this guy was behind the crimes. These weren't hoax calls. These were terrible crimes. For him to get away without punishment is shameful of our justice system.
Clearly this guy was behind the crimes. These weren't hoax calls. These were terrible crimes. For him to get away without punishment is shameful of our justice system.
Incredibely horrible set of events
maros61227 April 2023
I'll try my best avoiding the spoilers but I have to say that this story is indeed telling. I understand that law enforcement in United States is (and has to be) taken very seriously but still, one may not blindly follow everything a guy, acting as a police officer, say over the phone. Especially, when what he says is absurd beyond doubt, and obviously criminal. Managers who complied were either intelectually challenged, thought they need to protect the company and their jobs even if it took to treat an employee inhumanely - or - they simply wanted to believe, or pretended to believe they have a credible get-out-of-jail explanation to commit sexual assault which they have dearly enjoyed. And the most intriguing question of all - why make a three episode document with such outcome, when it was perfectly clear, that most questions cannot be answered?
Cognitive Dissonance 101
edwin-wks19 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This docuseries adequately demonstrated the concept of cognitive dissonance and the mind's attempt to be rid of the ensuing discomfort by making justifications for the choices that cause the dissonance. Once the unwittingly coerced sexual abuser makes the decision to go along with the strip search, their mind subconsciously begins to justify their actions, which are clearly wrong to any observer. It is a slippery slope and, the further along they go on that slope, the greater the attempt to assuage the cognitive dissonance. This is how easy it is to influence some people and the perpetrator of the calls wielded it to devastating effect the moment they took the bait.
It is no coincidence that the calls ceased after David Stewart was arrested and subsequently found not guilty. If he was not the person making those calls, there would have been further victims as the perpetrator would have felt even more emboldened that the wrong person was blamed. Stewart got off scot-free thanks to his solicitor who placed the emphasis on police bias while conveniently ignoring that attorneys are far from impartial themselves. Many have been wrongly incarcerated and even put to death due to some DAs' ambition to get results and promotions.
The calls continued undeterred for 10 years due to the fast food restaurants' desire to avoid potential litigation. It is true that MacDonald's could have alerted their restaurants about the hoax calls that they had received when it became obvious that it was not an isolated incident. But they would have opened themselves to litigation regardless. While I am not defending the corporation's behaviour, no other restaurant did the right thing because of the litigious atmosphere in the United States.
It is no coincidence that the calls ceased after David Stewart was arrested and subsequently found not guilty. If he was not the person making those calls, there would have been further victims as the perpetrator would have felt even more emboldened that the wrong person was blamed. Stewart got off scot-free thanks to his solicitor who placed the emphasis on police bias while conveniently ignoring that attorneys are far from impartial themselves. Many have been wrongly incarcerated and even put to death due to some DAs' ambition to get results and promotions.
The calls continued undeterred for 10 years due to the fast food restaurants' desire to avoid potential litigation. It is true that MacDonald's could have alerted their restaurants about the hoax calls that they had received when it became obvious that it was not an isolated incident. But they would have opened themselves to litigation regardless. While I am not defending the corporation's behaviour, no other restaurant did the right thing because of the litigious atmosphere in the United States.
Breathtaking True Crime Documentary with Profound Psychology Lessons
tobydammit-219 December 2022
You probably heard the story years ago about the guy who impersonated a cop telling a fast food manager over the phone to strip search one of the employees and the manager actually did that and more! Guess what ? It not only really happened, but it happened 70 times over the course of a decade across 30+ states and was captured on CCTV footage!! Like Sacha Baron Cohen playing Borat, this pervert liked to have fun at the expense of simple naive folks in small towns, but takes it to a level of sexual criminality that will blow your mind. I have to admit seeing it happen the first time, I couldn't help laughing my ass off at the spectacular gullibility of these rubes, but by the end of the film I was reminded that not everyone in this country is a cynical college-educated prick who never had to work at McDonalds and wept at the way these good people were deceived and abused and how very few got justice.
A true story of our sad state of affairs
george-coufos119 December 2022
This is a documentary about a con man who impersonated a cop calling fast food restaurants and convincing the manager on duty that a female in the restaurant had stolen money from another customer. The caller then convinced the manager to take the woman into the back room and have her remove her clothing and conduct various weird or perverted acts in the name of justice.
Tough to know where to begin. It's hard to believe this happened - but I vaguely remember hearing about it on the news. The perpetrator has to be a sick, despicable individual. Those who were fooled are utterly stupid and/or brainwashed people who revere authority over humanity.
I agree completely with other reviewers who've say this is a horrible crime, the crime itself it not at the top of my list. What was more troubling, and should concern us all is that our society has reached the point where such a thing can happen over and over again. It's not so much a case of a random bunch of stupid people taken in by a criminal. More accurately it signals our complete separation from reality and our need to be told what to do. I found watching this was sickening, as it comes with the realization that we are at the mercy of the sharks that rule us. The story told here shows what has resulted from the measures they've taken to ensure we follow blindly and thank them for their guidance.
This story happened from the mid-90s to 2011 and was basically the canary, dead in the coal mine.
Thanks to our government and it's manipulation of the educational system and mass media, critical thinking is obsolete. The old phrase QUESTION AUTHORITY is meaningless to generations X,Y and Z. We stand at the crosswalks and wait to be told to cross the street in the brave new world and perverts like David Stewart can tell people he's a cop and they turn into mindless, compliant zombies who will torture innocent people on command.
Why is it we're conditioned not to question cops when they're supposed to be public servants? And for that matter why are all cops now looking like they're equipped for combat duty? This is a reflection of the type of society we've become and if you're in your right mind, it should make you sick.
I've noticed that many reviewers pour all their emotions into the sick sadsack that committed the crime and the stupid people who followed his orders. While that is deplorable, the large issue here is our future.
This documentary is effectively a case study that exposes this sociuety's sickness. Yes, it's worth watching.
Tough to know where to begin. It's hard to believe this happened - but I vaguely remember hearing about it on the news. The perpetrator has to be a sick, despicable individual. Those who were fooled are utterly stupid and/or brainwashed people who revere authority over humanity.
I agree completely with other reviewers who've say this is a horrible crime, the crime itself it not at the top of my list. What was more troubling, and should concern us all is that our society has reached the point where such a thing can happen over and over again. It's not so much a case of a random bunch of stupid people taken in by a criminal. More accurately it signals our complete separation from reality and our need to be told what to do. I found watching this was sickening, as it comes with the realization that we are at the mercy of the sharks that rule us. The story told here shows what has resulted from the measures they've taken to ensure we follow blindly and thank them for their guidance.
This story happened from the mid-90s to 2011 and was basically the canary, dead in the coal mine.
Thanks to our government and it's manipulation of the educational system and mass media, critical thinking is obsolete. The old phrase QUESTION AUTHORITY is meaningless to generations X,Y and Z. We stand at the crosswalks and wait to be told to cross the street in the brave new world and perverts like David Stewart can tell people he's a cop and they turn into mindless, compliant zombies who will torture innocent people on command.
Why is it we're conditioned not to question cops when they're supposed to be public servants? And for that matter why are all cops now looking like they're equipped for combat duty? This is a reflection of the type of society we've become and if you're in your right mind, it should make you sick.
I've noticed that many reviewers pour all their emotions into the sick sadsack that committed the crime and the stupid people who followed his orders. While that is deplorable, the large issue here is our future.
This documentary is effectively a case study that exposes this sociuety's sickness. Yes, it's worth watching.
A lot of stupid, gullible people out there
piano120218 December 2022
I've a had a lot of people tell me I'm too harsh on the people who fell for this scam...then they go on to say that "I would have fallen for it ...being intimidated by a cop on the phone."
Half-right: I may have started out believing it, but as soon as they started a strip search I would have said "get down here and do it yourself."
It's a very well done documentary, and MacDonalds does deserve a huge share of the blame for this, but that Boston cop made a really stupid tactical error (you'll see.)
Either way, very sad that there are people this stupid and this irresponsible and they are largely to blame for this whole sordid affair.
The "I was brought up to respect authority" excuse doesn't work here, not when the person is on the phone and not a physical threat.
The final verdict of the perp was a fitting way to tell the people of this country: smarten up, morons or else worse will happen.
Half-right: I may have started out believing it, but as soon as they started a strip search I would have said "get down here and do it yourself."
It's a very well done documentary, and MacDonalds does deserve a huge share of the blame for this, but that Boston cop made a really stupid tactical error (you'll see.)
Either way, very sad that there are people this stupid and this irresponsible and they are largely to blame for this whole sordid affair.
The "I was brought up to respect authority" excuse doesn't work here, not when the person is on the phone and not a physical threat.
The final verdict of the perp was a fitting way to tell the people of this country: smarten up, morons or else worse will happen.
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