(COMTEX)     B: FBI Arrests 8 in McDonald's Scheme
B: FBI Arrests 8 in McDonald's Scheme
 
WASHINGTON, Aug 21, 2001 (AP Online via COMTEX) -- The FBI arrested eight
people allegedly involved in a scheme that fraudulently netted more than $13
million worth of McDonald's game prizes, authorities said Tuesday.
 
Officials describing the investigation on condition of anonymity said the
criminal ring allegedly involved a company responsible for McDonald's game
security. Those arrested included an employee of the marketing firm that
administered the promotions - a person who allegedly embezzled winning game
pieces.
 
Law enforcement authorities said those arrested were charged with fixing the
outcome of McDonald's 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 the $1 million grand prize.
 
More than $13 million worth of grand prizes were "won" by the conspirators in
this scheme, the FBI said in a statement.
 
The bureau's investigation, called operation "Final Answer," is continuing. All
eight individuals were charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, and felony
complaints were filed against them in federal court in Florida.
 
The FBI said the scheme began as early as 1995. The government alleges that
those involved provided winning game pieces to friends and associates who acted
as recruiters. These recruiters then solicited individuals who falsely and
fraudulently represented that they were the legitimate winners of the McDonald's
games.
 
The eight made off with some of the highest-value prizes in the McDonald's
games, authorities said. But the sources also said that no employees of
McDonald's were involved in the scam.
 
The arrests were being announced here Tuesday by Attorney General John Ashcroft
and Thomas Pickard, acting director of the FBI.
 
Officials said the scam involved McDonald's Monopoly game promotion.
 
McDonald's has offered big prizes - $1 million in cash, diamonds or gold, cars
and vacations - to Monopoly game winners. Customers collect game pieces attached
to drink cups or obtained through writing to McDonald's. The pieces are
redeemable for "instant win" prizes or can be used on a game board available at
McDonald's.
 
The company has offered the Monopoly promotion for 10 years, according to
McDonald's Web site.
 
 
By KAREN GULLO
Associated Press Writer
 
 Copyright 2001 Associated Press, All rights reserved
 
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APO Priority=r
APO Category=1152
 
 KEYWORD:          WASHINGTON
 SUBJECT CODE:     1152
 
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