YouTube and Twitch personality “DougDoug” was arrested this morning in connection with what he calls the “Twitch Tax Fraud Challenge.”
It all started when “DougDoug” started streaming Friday. He bragged that Nintendo’s latest Zelda game “Tears of the Kingdom” was a “write-off” on his taxes.
DougDoug, known for creating challenges for his chat, tasked viewers to come up with the most “creative” write-off ideas. The winner of the challenge would be the person who saves DougDoug the most money on taxes. “If you write it off, it’s free, RIGHT chat?”
The winner was to be rewarded with 5 subs to DougDoug’s channel.
As viewers laughed along, giving DougDoug outrageous suggestions, some couldn’t help but wonder if they were crossing into the realms of tax fraud. But DougDoug reassured them, “Don’t worry, it’s all for entertainment purposes!
“He proceeded to share “unique” ways to claim tax deductions that some have called “dubious.” Viewers claim DougDoug suggested writing off gaming chairs as “business thrones,” claiming a Nintendo Switch as a “therapy device,” and adding energy drinks as “essential nutrients” for streamers.
“I did it for the content!” DougDoug declared just before getting shoved into a cop car.
Fellow “content” creator and ethical reactor Ludwig Ahgren issued a statement in a video on his “Mogul Mail” channel titled, “HUGE Streamer Drama.”
“As you may know, DougDoug was arrested for using his audience to commit tax fraud. Now, I see this as a prime example of what happens when parasocial relationships between streamers and their audience go too far.”
The IRS was also quick to issue a statement – “We strongly discourage any fraudulent activities when filing taxes. Remember, there’s a difference between comedy and crime.”
