Key Takeaways
- Red Baron employee Walt Z called out a prankster who used a prerecorded Apple Pay chime to make him think someone had stolen his money, saying, “It’s not a joke to me, OK? My life is hard enough as it is.”
- After the video went viral, Luke Oakenshield launched a fundraiser that raised more than $500,000 for Walt, who described struggling to pay his mortgage and supporting four children.
- Red Baron’s parent company, CJ Schwan’s, said Walt remains on its team, continues to receive support and has requested privacy.
A Red Baron employee who was tricked into thinking he'd been robbed while working is now getting a wave of public support — to the tune of more than $500,000.
In the video that went viral, the worker, identified online only as Walt Z, is approached by someone asking for the time until things go left.
The person filming holds their phone up to Walt Z's phone, triggering a prerecorded Apple Pay chime and pretends he sent himself some of Walt’s money.
The man made it clear he didn't find the stunt funny.
"It's not a joke to me, OK? My life is hard enough as it is."
Eventually, after being teased by the prankster, Walt started shouting. "I’ve got kids at home that went to bed without me right now. I was supposed to be at home an hour ago, but I’m still out here working. Now I’m probably gonna get kicked out of the store because of you. Not funny,” he said.
After the prankster apologized, Walt kept going. "You’re not sorry, because you’ve got a smug look on your face,” said Walt. “And you’re probably making money off of this. And I can’t even pay my goddamn mortgage. And I’ve got four kids at home."
The fundraiser, organized by a man named Luke Oakenshield, was set up after the video went viral. In the description, Oakenshield clarified that he didn’t know Walt, but set it up because he should not have to fear losing stability because someone wanted content and clicks.”
In a statement to Newsweek, Red Baron’s parent company, CJ Schwan’s, addressed the situation, saying, "The safety, well-being, and dignity of our employees are extremely important to us."
"Following the incident, we connected directly with our team member to check on his well-being, and we continue to offer our support. We are pleased to share that he is doing well and remains a valued member of our team," the spokesperson added.
The company also revealed that the man, Walt, “requests privacy.”
