I thought of the "Office Space" guys and their embezzlement scheme when I read your post.
They were smart enough programmers to steal the money, but not very good at covering their tracks afterward.
One of the guys says "how can these Neanderthal mafia guys be so good at crime, and smart guys like us suck so badly at it?"
I know it's a fictional example, but maybe the screenwriter was trying to make a point about "smart" people based on experience.
It's Mike Judge (also known for Beavis and Butthead, King of the Hill, and Silicon Valley). The guy is a very astute observer of human nature and most of his work drives off that skill.