Image source: Instagram @marvin.wildhage
When satire becomes a criminal offense
What sounds like a gag is bitter reality: Youtuber Marvin Wildhage has obtained the Federal Cross of Merit - yes, the Federal Cross of Merit - by deception. And not just any medal, but a replica of the one once awarded to the legendary "Löwenzahn" presenter Peter Lustig. He documented the whole thing in a YouTube video - peppered with "What if this is illegal?" questions and a fake moment of shock when the medal actually arrived in the letterbox. But was it a harmless joke - or a criminal offense?
No joke: a medal for 149 euros
The path to the Federal Cross of Merit was surprisingly simple: Wildhage wrote an email to the manufacturer Steinhauer & Lück under a false name, pretending to be the executor of Peter Lustig's estate and asking for a replacement because the original had allegedly been stolen. He was unable to provide the requested proof - an award certificate. But a newspaper article from 2007 was apparently enough, and presto: the medal was delivered for 149 euros.
The fact that the Youtuber did not forge any documents, but referred to a genuine article, saved him from the most serious accusation - forgery. But the matter is not entirely clean.
The long arm of the penal code
From a legal point of view, Wildhage is operating in a gray area, but not scot-free: with his fake identity ("Marc Furmich") and the non-existent company "Lightbox Media", he is guilty of falsifying evidence-relevant data - Section 269 of the German Criminal Code sends its regards. The fact that the email was "only digital" does not make it any less relevant: The decisive factor is that it was used in business transactions to obtain a genuine product under false pretenses.
What surprises many: Pinning the medal on YouTube is not punishable by law. Wildhage is not entitled to wear the Federal Cross of Merit - but because he explicitly emphasized that he had not officially received it, there is no presumption of office or denigration. Nor is it an administrative offence because he clearly did not claim the award for himself.
The bigger embarrassment: The manufacturer
At least as piquant as the Youtuber's behavior is the failure of the award manufacturer. According to the law, a Federal Cross of Merit may only be sold on presentation of an official award certificate - and not in exchange for a newspaper article. The company itself has therefore committed an administrative offense. Whether through carelessness or a system error - it should not be that easy to obtain a state decoration.
Border crossed into illegality
Wildhage knows exactly how to uncover weaknesses - but also how to scrape along the edge of illegality. This time he has crossed the line. Although it is "only" a criminal offense for data falsification, this is no trivial offense. Anyone who allows themselves to have fun with the country's highest badge of honor is gambling away trust. And yes, that can also be a loss - even if it is not a criminal offense.
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