French influencer admits he staged his dog’s kidnapping stunt for clicks and apologizes
- Feb 10
- 3 min read
10 February 2026
Cyril Schreiner, a French social media creator with millions of followers, recently admitted that he fabricated a dramatic story about his beloved pug, Albert, being kidnapped in order to generate online engagement and entertainment content, a revelation that sparked widespread criticism and raised questions about the ethics of content creation in the influencer era.
Schreiner took to his social media accounts in early February to explain that the supposed kidnapping complete with staged surveillance footage shared with his audience never actually happened and was part of a prank he devised while feeling bored with his usual content routine. He acknowledged that he had rented a house and even used a sack of potatoes in place of his dog for the footage to make it look like Albert had been taken, before later posting a reunion video to show the pug was safe.
In an apology video shared on TikTok and Instagram, Schreiner admitted that his stunt was ill-considered and misguided, saying that he messed up badly and expressing regret for how the situation unfolded. He told his millions of followers that although his intention was to create comedic content, he failed to consider the emotional impact such a narrative could have on others, especially those who have dealt with genuine pet loss or kidnapping.
The staged video initially garnered significant attention and sympathy from fans who believed Albert had been taken, prompting concern, speculation and discussion across social media platforms. Once Schreiner revealed the truth, many viewers felt misled, criticizing him for exploiting the emotional bond people have with their pets in pursuit of likes and views. Social platforms quickly filled with reactions ranging from disbelief to anger, with some commenters saying the prank trivialized real cases of pet loss and diverted attention from genuinely troubling situations.
Schreiner’s apology was candid, with the influencer taking responsibility for his actions and acknowledging that he had acted stupidly. He asked whether people would accept his apology, adding that he never intended to disrespect those who have actually had pets taken or lost. His comments reflected a recognition that while humor and entertainment are central to influencer culture, there are lines that need to be respected when it comes to emotional narratives involving animals and audiences.
The backlash illuminated a broader tension in the online creator world between sensational content and responsible storytelling. Influencers often rely on dramatic or emotionally charged posts to stand out in an increasingly crowded digital landscape, but Schreiner’s situation highlighted how easily such efforts can backfire when audiences feel manipulated or when a narrative crosses into territory associated with genuine trauma or distress.
Many critics online referenced the adage the boy who cried wolf, suggesting that Schreiner’s hoax could have real-world consequences if future genuine cases of pet disappearance are met with skepticism because of this high-profile fake. Several commenters noted that viewers who don’t follow influencer news closely might be harmed or confused by such stunts, especially when they emotionally invest in a story about an animal’s safety and well-being only to find out it was entirely fabricated.
Despite the uproar, some voices in the online community offered a more measured response. A few people defended Schreiner’s creative process, arguing that satire and staged content have long been elements of performance art and that his apology showed awareness of the boundaries he crossed. These advocates emphasized that creative expression on social media often tests limits and that audiences and creators alike are still navigating evolving norms for what constitutes responsible and respectful content.
Schreiner also addressed criticism by clarifying that Albert was never in harm’s way, reinforcing that the dog was safe and unaware of the chaos surrounding the stunt. He explained that he staged the situation with the intention of eventually revealing the truth and that the comedic nature of the prank was meant to be evident once all the clues were pieced together though he acknowledged that plan went awry as the narrative took on a life of its own online.
The incident serves as a cautionary tale for both influencers and their audiences about the power and pitfalls of digital storytelling. In an age where attention is currency and algorithms reward engagement, the pressure to constantly escalate content can push creators toward increasingly extreme tactics. Schreiner’s experience shows how a single miscalculated decision can affect public trust and expose the fragility of the relationship between creators and followers.
As influencer culture continues to evolve, Schreiner’s apology and the reaction to his prank underscore the importance of authenticity and ethical considerations in content creation. For every follower who enjoys a humorous or dramatic post, there are others whose trust and emotional investment make deceptive narratives feel personal and hurtful. The outcry over the fake dog kidnapping highlights that audiences want entertainment, but not at the expense of integrity or empathy.
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