They order for several thousand euros from KFC … without paying

A 23-year-old Chinese student and four of his classmates were recently sentenced to prison terms ranging from 15 to 30 months for ripping off KFC. Between April and October 2018, these people obtained for free a total of more than 30,000 dollars (nearly 25,000 euros) of products from the fast-food giant. They used a flaw in the sign’s app, which the student had discovered by chance, says Vice.

By placing an order via the platform, the young Chinese indeed noticed that he could pay using vouchers and be immediately reimbursed via another application. The student then multiplied the purchases for himself and explained the trick to four friends. He also started selling coupons online to make this process possible.

Sentenced to fines

The five free riders were also sentenced to fines ranging between 155 and 930 dollars, or between 127 and 764 euros. Chinese justice indeed considered that in addition to fraud, they were guilty of “communication of criminal methods”. The student’s only orders cost KFC about $ 9,000, or nearly $ 7,400.

Voices have, however, been raised in China to criticize the sentences to which the students have been sentenced. Many indeed deem them too harsh and believe that KFC, which did not immediately spot the security flaw, is also responsible.