In 1985, U.S. Marshals pulled off one of the strangest “prize giveaways” in crime history.

They created a fake company called Flagship International Sports Television and mailed invitations to wanted fugitives around Washington, D.C. The letter said they had won free tickets to a Washington football game, plus a chance at more prizes.

A surprising number showed up.

At the event, the fugitives were checked in, seated, and hyped up by undercover officers posing as cheerful hosts. Then came the real surprise: instead of receiving tickets, they were surrounded by law enforcement and arrested.

The operation, known as Operation Flagship, netted 101 fugitives in a single day. Some were wanted for serious charges, and the plan worked largely because the targets voluntarily walked into a room full of undercover officers.

It was less “you’ve won free tickets” and more “you’ve won a free ride downtown.”