Have you any idea how annoying it is to get bumped by a 3yr service CC member 'because they have an unwritten agreement' when you have 25yrs in, a firm ticket ID 100 and are trying to get a 26hr flight from the other side of the world? With your family in tow?
This is a popular misconception. CSDs or captains or other CC can only upgrade after doors are closed. At this stage all of the staff passengers have been seated in accordance with ST rules and regs. Rant by all means that it is unfair, in your opinion, that some people have friends who look after them , but don't try to say you have been screwed over to allow this to happen.
If you really think that you were mishandled in order for some fraud to take place, I presume you made an official complaint about it. If you did not you only have yourself to blame about a rotten system.