Did he? How many of them walked away from him and went on to lead honest lives? He isn't bragging about that.
No telling how many people marked him down as a lowlife, but don't expect him to tell you about that.
True, he might be exaggerating (though perhaps this was what motivated the cafeteria chain to switch check systems). Today, you pay as you exit the line with your tray of food and there’s very little room for cheating.