HQ, the app-based daily trivia game that allows its winners to split a (steadily increasing) pool of money, has skyrocketed in popularity since its initial foray onto the phone screen. And why not? The idea of being able to potentially win decent sums of money by simply answering some trivia questions on your phone is more tempting than buying a lottery ticket.
However, wherever there’s money to be had, there are scammers.
HQ players have become increasingly suspicious of one perpetual winner, Scott Menke.
WOW Scott Menke you won again!? Such a knowledgeable guy! @hqtrivia pic.twitter.com/4RqA7Amkh0
— Jennifer Gullo (@JenniferGullo) April 11, 2018
Menke has been in the HQ winners pool on multiple occasions — and his profile pic features himself standing with one of the HQ hosts, Scott Rogowsky.
Don’t know what to think about this Scott Menke conspiracy #HQ pic.twitter.com/vtzjOvGgeH
— George Ortiz (@George__Ortiz) April 11, 2018
Obviously, people are somewhat skeptical about Scott’s wins and wonder whether he’s being given insider information.
I mean, seems a little fishy that one of the winners has a Pic of him and @ScottRogowsky @hqtrivia #HQTrivia #HQ pic.twitter.com/6BivRPSJBt
— Elijah Anderson (@elijahkmusic) April 11, 2018
Who is this Scott Menke guy that keeps winning HQ???? @hqtrivia @ScottRogowsky pic.twitter.com/U5YcGYcXar
— Mikey Z (@OnMyWay2fybitch) April 11, 2018
Hey @hqtrivia Who’s this guy ScottMenke? A photo with the host!! Insider Information ? pic.twitter.com/9rGGavlzPs
— Daniel Carrazana (@Danny_Carrazana) April 11, 2018
How does Scott Menke win on HQ Trivia again??? @ScottRogowsky @hqtrivia #callingBS
— Rich Gomes (@BoomDiggyBang) April 11, 2018
@hqtrivia Hmmm ScottMenke wins again …???????#HQTrivia pic.twitter.com/nVkWSYPE4d
— Katrine ? (@Katrina_Srour) April 11, 2018
The speculation became so prolific that Menke actually took to Twitter to dispel any theories about his relationship to HQ and Scott Rogowsky. Apparently, the two Scotts both attended Johns Hopkins and happened to meet at a holiday party, where they took a photo together.
Hello everybody – still coming down from the @hqtrivia win tonight. Just wanted to let everyone know that I met scott rogowsky at a holiday party. that’s the only convo I’ve had with him. he went to johns hopkins, as I did, but he was both cooler than me and two years older.
— Scott Menke (@cashmenke) March 5, 2018
Menke also isn’t a novice when it comes to trivia. According to TouchArcade:
As much as I love a good conspiracy theory, reality is usually far more boring. Menke posted an AMA on Reddit getting into some of the details of his life. It turns out he’s been on Jeopardy and also made an appearance on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. Additionally, his work history on LinkedIn is filled with positions involving actuarial science and statistics. According to his AMA, the avatar photo came from a holiday party they were both at, additionally, the guy seems to just genuinely be very good at trivia-related things. You don’t get on two game shows if you’re not.
So, it seems that this particular mystery has (most likely) been put to rest.
However, it also seems like Scott Menke should just stop playing HQ because COME ON, SCOTT, LEAVE SOME MONEY FOR THE REST OF US.