Internet Traffic Scam Related to Bigfoot Faux Pas Fails to Generate $2 Million
In the summer of 2008, a sensational claim was made by Matthew Whitton and Rick Dyer, who announced on YouTube that they had discovered a Bigfoot corpse in the north Georgia mountains. The news spread like wildfire, with major news outlets such as CBS and ABC covering the story. However, the alleged Bigfoot corpse was later revealed to be a rubber gorilla costume.
Fast forward to 2012, and the duo was at it again, this time with Rick Dyer at the helm. They charged admission fees to view a purported Bigfoot-like creature, but the hoax was eventually exposed. The hoax served as a cautionary tale about the consequences of deception and the importance of critical thinking in the age of viral internet content.
Jerry Parrino, owner of an internet Halloween costume retailer, recognised the "corpse" as one of their products after viewing photos. The costume was stuffed with opossum roadkill, entrails, and slaughterhouse leftovers, making it a far cry from a genuine Bigfoot specimen.
The craze to monetize views with "click-bait" was considered a factor that negatively impacted the internet during this period. Legitimate marketing strategies are more sustainable and less risky for businesses and individuals compared to exploiting web traffic with "click-bait".
The author, preferring a blog free of advertising over potential financial gains from advertising revenue, expresses a fleeting thought that the real hoax could be that the Bigfoot was real, and they were made to discredit themselves to keep it secret. However, no evidence suggests that Whitton and Dyer made significant money from the Bigfoot hoax, apart from the admission fees.
The hoaxers faced public embarrassment and loss of credibility. Matthew Whitton, a police officer on medical leave, faced termination from his job due to the fraud. Rick Dyer confessed to the hoax in 2014.
The Bigfoot hoax in 2008 generated substantial web traffic, but the potential for monetization was likely much lower than the estimated $2 million it might have generated in 2012 from charging admission fees. Ethical considerations and legal risks associated with hoaxes outweigh potential financial gains.
The Bigfoot hoax serves as a reminder that in the digital age, it is essential to approach information critically and with a healthy dose of skepticism. The pursuit of sensationalism and quick financial gains can lead to deception and loss of credibility, making it crucial to uphold truth and integrity in the face of temptation.
