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Iceland Customers Perform Degrading Acts For Prize - Turns Out To Be A Hoax

Iceland Customers Perform Degrading Acts For Prize - Turns Out To Be A Hoax

They thought they'd get £3,000.

Mel Ramsay

Mel Ramsay

Someone who definitely has too much time on their hands subjected customers and staff at an Iceland store to take part in degrading acts to win a fake prize.

The incident, which took place in Bitterne, Southampton, on April 5, saw employees asked to lick customers' feet and even pretend to be a vacuum cleaner.

It turns out that it was all just a prank from an 'Irish-sounding' man on the phone who had claimed to be from Iceland's head office.

He told staff and customers that if they completed all of the tasks, they would be rewarded with £3,000 each.


Credit: PA Images

One of the customers who was duped, Michelle, told The Sun: "He told us we could win £3,000 and electrical items from Currys.

"It all seemed so real and legitimate at first. He was really professional sounding and it certainly did not sound like a hoax."

During the prank, Michelle and her 16-year-old daughter, Ashleigh, were required to refer to workers as 'beast'. Later, she was tasked with passing the phone to a 'tall and beautiful' person. Michelle explained: "I couldn't find anyone who matched the description, but I found a small elderly lady.

"She was a good sport, bless her. She then took over from me in order for the staff to do the strange things.

"We cottoned on that it was a hoax after around 40 minutes. We were tired, confused and it felt like they wanted us to hurt the staff with our feet."

She continued: "He wanted our numbers to contact us again, but we had had enough and just wanted to leave.

"It was very surreal. It just makes you wonder."

An Iceland spokesman said: "We can only apologise to the customers involved for their experience at our Bitterne store.

"Our team also fell victim to this hoax."

The prank echoes a similar incident which took place at a Poundworld store in Barnstaple, Devon. Pamela Desmond, 55, and her 24-year-old daughter, Naomi, also spoke to an 'Irish-sounding' man who got them to ride each other like 'human horses'.


Pamela and Naomi. Credit: SWNS

The pair received a £200 voucher from Poundworld and an apology.

Featured Image Credit: PA Images

Topics: Prank