French social media influencer Cyril Schreiner has confessed to fabricating the kidnapping of his widely adored pug, Albert, describing the elaborate stunt as a "very bad joke." The 27-year-old content creator, who boasts a combined following of over 10 million across TikTok and Instagram, issued a public apology this week, acknowledging he "acted stupidly" in orchestrating the deceptive prank.
Staged Surveillance Footage and Emotional Backlash
Schreiner revealed that last month he rented a property specifically to stage surveillance footage, creating the illusion that Albert had been abducted. He later posted a tearful photograph on Instagram, purportedly showing a heartfelt reunion with the dog. In reality, Schreiner admitted to using a sack of potatoes as a stand-in for Albert during the filming, insisting the canine was never involved in the production.
Public Apology and Fan Outrage
In a series of videos shared on TikTok and Instagram, Schreiner expressed deep regret, stating he had "messed up badly" and now understood "there are things you shouldn't joke about." He emphasised that his intention was purely comedic, aiming to create entertainment for his audience. "I wanted to create entertainment," Schreiner explained. "And that's what I've been doing for you for one week, but I did it really in the worst way."
The influencer's followers responded with widespread condemnation, labelling the prank "cruel" and expressing feelings of betrayal. Many commented that they had been genuinely concerned for Albert's safety, with some even translating French posts to follow the developing situation. "It's cruel. I feel betrayed," wrote one TikTok follower. "I was checking few times a day if Albert is okay. This was not funny at any point."
Financial and Professional Consequences
Contrary to speculation that the stunt was designed to boost engagement, Schreiner denied any financial motivation, revealing the incident had actually cost him partnerships, credibility, and significant income. "Creating all of this cost me a lot of money and brought in almost nothing," he stated. "Social media doesn't pay like it used to." He announced that any revenue generated from his recent posts would be donated to animal welfare organisations.
Reflection on Social Media Pressures
Schreiner opened up about personal struggles, describing the past year as "really difficult" and admitting his enjoyment of social media creation had diminished. "In recent years, what I was doing on social media pleased me less and less," he shared. "I was making videos almost automatically." Despite this, he maintained that his primary goal has always been to "share joy and positivity" with his audience.
The content creator, known for humorous clips of Albert attempting to steal food, also features another pug named Tina in his videos. His apology concluded with a plea for understanding: "I never meant to disrespect people who have actually lost pets. I can't imagine how horrible that must be."
As the controversy continues to unfold, Schreiner's admission serves as a stark reminder of the ethical boundaries in digital content creation and the profound emotional connection audiences form with online personalities and their animal companions.
