On June 12, 2024, Walt Z was restocking frozen pizzas when influencer @thea.ctiveworld staged a fake Apple Pay transaction in front of him, prompting Z to protest that the stunt was a violation of his dignity.
Z, 38, lives in a Michigan suburb with his wife and four children, and has been working overtime to keep up with a mortgage that exceeds his hourly wage. The prank came at a time he was already running late, stressing the financial pressure he faces on a daily basis.
A GoFundMe page launched by Luke Oakenshield quickly amassed $280,000, as donors responded to Z’s story of long hours, childcare responsibilities, and the threat that the incident might jeopardize his job. Oakenshield confirmed he had spoken to Z and his partner via video call to confirm the legitimacy of the fundraiser.
The video sparked backlash on Instagram, leading to the deactivation of @thea.ctiveworld’s account. The incident ignited a broader debate over influencers’ responsibility when engaging with vulnerable workers, with several platforms announcing a review of content‑creator conduct policies.
Law enforcement and the Michigan Department of Labor have reportedly opened a preliminary investigation into the prank for potential workplace harassment violations. Z’s employer has said it will conduct its own review of the incident’s impact on safety and employee morale.