From Bedroom to the Dark Web: Uncovering Maximilian Schmidt, Germany's Infamous "Shiny Flakes"
- Penned by Sarah Stendel
- ** ~ 3 Mins**
Unveiling the Real-Life Inspiration Behind the Series: 'Selling Drugs Rapidly' - Unveiling the truth behind the series "Speeding Through Drug Sales Online"
The teenager next door made a name for himself in the world of online drug trafficking, turning his childhood bedroom into a thriving, million-euro operation under the pseudonym "Shiny Flakes." Maximilian Schmidt, infamous for peddling almost a ton of drugs through his website, ignited curiosity and shock across Europe. At the height of his business, Schmidt, then 18, was making up to 100,000 euros a day.
In 2015, Schmidt's illegal enterprise was dismantled, and he was sentenced to seven years in prison. His tale of cyber-crime and ingenuity captivated audiences so much that it birthed a Netflix series, "How To Sell Drugs Online (Fast)," now in its fourth and final season. Interestingly, a Netflix documentary also delved into the real-life case in 2021, with Schmidt himself serving as the narrator.
"How to sell drugs online (fast)": The Real Dealcoket
Fast forward to 2022, and Netflix grants Schmidt the chance to share his story first-hand - from stumbling upon a drug website one fateful night to transforming an idea into a lucrative empire. Despite his calm and somewhat detached demeanor when discussing his criminal exploits, there's a hint of satisfaction in Schmidt's voice as he shares details about his operation's success, such as how postmen served as couriers for delivery.
While Schmidt is undeniably an atypical criminal – he didn't consume drugs, hoard lavish possessions, or see the night, instead opting to pour his time and energy into his business, overseeing technology, weighing, and shipping – some might argue there's a certain tantalizing allure to the dispassionate entrepreneur.
The Grim Face of Glamour
The Netflix documentary, however, steers towards a more questionable tone. It leans heavily on visual cues from the fictional series, "How To Sell Drugs Online (Fast)" - bright images of pills set against pulsing techno beats generate a sensation of glamour, voyeurism, and immorality. It goes so far as to have Schmidt reenact scenes in a replica of his childhood bedroom, presenting an unsettling narrative that blurs the line between reality and fiction.
Victims of Schmidt's drug empire get no platform to share their stories or experiences with the drug scandal that impacted their lives. This pattern is not new to Netflix, who has been rebuked in the past for portraying crime cases through the eyes of perpetrators, often romanticizing and glorifying the criminal life. Take, for instance, the biased portrayal of prolific serial killer Ted Bundy in a Netflix documentary, where he sometimes appears as a cult leader who regrettably succumbed to his macabre predilections for violence.
The Orwellian Mind of a Criminal Mastermind
The documentary also features commentary from law enforcement and court officials. Insights from a psychiatric evaluator are particularly revealing. When Schmidt describes North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un as cool or perceived him as "a bit annoying yet calm," it becomes clear that this is not just a typical Leipzig resident talking. The psychiatrist describe's Schmidt as calculated, calculating, and apparently convinced that he could control every aspect of his operations. "Dangerous," he concludes, adding that Schmidt demonstrated symptoms of classic overestimation.
As of now, it's uncertain how much money Schmidt still holds, but one thing is apparent: Schmidt shows no remorse for his actions. In 2019, he was released from prison early, and dramatic claims regarding post-release investigations, alleged drug shop reopenings, and new prison sentences have fueled fresh public debates about his activities and accountability.
- "How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast)"
- Netflix
- Schmidt's story of online drug trafficking, intriguingly modeled in the Netflix series "How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast)," was once again given a platform in 2022, allowing Schmidt to discuss his criminal exploits directly.
- Despite Schmidt's calm demeanor during the documentary, the presentation of bright pill images and pulsing techno beats generated a sensation that some might find glamorous, voyeuristic, or immoral.
- The Netflix documentary's approach raised concerns as it failed to provide a platform for victims of Schmidt's drug empire to share their stories, a pattern that has drawn criticism towards Netflix in the past for portraying crime cases from the perpetrator's perspective, often romanticizing and glorifying criminal lifestyles.
