'Worse than insensitive': Aussies fuming over Cyclone Alfred inspired ad

"I am almost 100% certain that it’s against the law to use emergency weather events as an advertisement opportunity."

Cyclone Alfred, despite being over relatively quickly, caused a significant amount of damage in its path.

You’ve probably seen photos of trees on houses and power lines, roads completely flooded, and kilometres of sand eroded away.

So, if you got a text to your phone about it, chances are you’d rush to look.

But, what if it was just a hook for a random giveaway?

Aussies are finding just this - and people are fuming.

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Image: Reddit.

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“Bit insensitive you reckon?”

An Aussie local has taken to Reddit after receiving a questionable text over the weekend.

“Bit insensitive you reckon?” they said.

The text, sent by a random phone number, began as if it was an update on what was, at the time, an active natural disaster. However, things quickly took a turn.

“CYCLONE ALFRED UPDATE,” it said.

“It’s definitely still happening.

“Also, The TOYOTA PRADO or $80K tax-free cash giveaway is only 4% SOLD (186 entrants) with 5x ENTRIES finishing in 2 HOURS!”

The text continued with further details about the giveaway, encouraging recipients ‘not to miss out’ - thankfully, with a more sensitive ending. NOT!

“Stay Safe - The Torque Team,” the text said.

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“This is some Black Mirror sh*t”

Commenters on the post were rightfully critical of the text message, saying it was ‘gross’ and ‘offensive’.

“This is gross,” one person said.

“Things are hard, in these trying times, remember to help us corporations out and buy a car.

“I’d be spewing if I was in Qld and copped that,” another person said.

“This is some Black Mirror sh*t, what the f*ck?!?” said another commenter.

“Worse than insensitive, co-opting the title of a warning message for a f*cking ad,” another person said.

Others even encouraged the poster to report the company for the act.

“You should provide this to NSW fair trading,” said one commenter.

“I am almost 100% certain that it’s against the law to use emergency weather events as an advertisement opportunity. Especially in the manner that has been sent in your screenshot.”

“Report their ass to Fair Trade,” another agreed.

“I think in addition to NSW fair trading, I reckon the ACMA would have fun poking around in this one,” a third suggested.

So what’s its deal?

The giveaway can be traced back to a company called Torque Crew, which, according to their website, is ‘Australia's newest motoring community’ based out of Queensland.

Due to a few tells on their website, including a lack of an Australian domain, commenters on the post were incessant that the group, and giveaway, were a scam.

Kidspot has reached out to Torque Crew for comment.

Originally published as 'Worse than insensitive': Aussies fuming over Cyclone Alfred inspired ad