A robbery on social media involving Santa, Rudolph and chums is still being investigated by police even after it was revealed that it was a stunt to promote a city coffeehouse.
The staged robbery took place at the Cup&Cake Cafe in the city of Krasnodar in the south-western Russian region of Krasnodar Krai and was filmed and posted online as part of a PR campaign.
The stunt was organised by staff members who wanted to use the video on the coffeehouse’s social media pages.
In the footage, a gun-toting Father Christmas is seen shooting in the air while his mean helpers order staff members to lie face-down on the floor.
In the next scene, an Elf holds a sack while a female cashier stuffs money from the till into it.
Meanwhile, two armed deer are seen guarding the hostages.
The video ends with Father Christmas’ gang fleeing the scene after stealing all the money.
Police launched an investigation after the video was posted online, however cops soon learned that the festive thieves were actually actors and the staged robbery was part of a social media campaign.
However, those involved will still be quizzed by the cops anyway.
Police spokeswoman Eleonora Zaikina said: “Coffeehouse staff did not report the robbery to the police. However, the video’s release prompted a police alert.
“The people involved in the incident are being identified and interrogated. The items that look like firearms in the video will also be checked.”
Story By: Roksana Panashchuk, Sub-Editor: Michael Leidig, Agency: Central European News
