Scam social media ads luring Aussies to lantern events that don’t exist
Aussies have been warned about scam social media ads and websites selling tickets to bogus lantern events that don’t exist.
Fake online ads and websites are luring Australians into buying tickets for sky lantern festivals that do not exist.
Consumer Protection is receiving reports from victims who paid for tickets to fake events that claim paper lanterns will be released into the sky, but no such event has been scheduled or approved to operate.
ScamNet removed three fake websites called AU Skylight Event, Lantern Fest Australia and Sky Dreams Australia and found a number of red flags including a US address, UK phone number and spelling errors such as Sidney instead of Sydney.
Investigators found new websites, such as UK The Sky Light Event, have already emerged in their place, indicating scammers were actively relaunching sites under different names to evade detection and target more victims.
The social media ads direct consumers to a professional looking website offering event tickets for about $50, then ask for credit card payments and personal information.
The websites mark certain dates as sold out and later dates appear available.
Authorities warned the information provided will be captured and potentially misused by scammers, and consumers may not realise they have been scammed until it is too late.
Consumer Protection commissioner Trish Blake was concerned more people may be falling victim to these scams than current reports suggest.
“Scammers know that if they make an event look popular by marking some dates as ‘sold-out’, people are more likely to rush into buying tickets,” she said.
“One red-flag is the claim by some websites that tickets and the exact location will only be issued 48 hours before the event – that is highly unusual and not standard practice for legitimate ticketed events.
“Because the events are advertised for future dates, many consumers may not realise they’ve been scammed until it’s too late – potentially even when they arrive at the venue expecting the event to take place.
“By then, the window to recover their money through their bank may have already closed.”
Ms Blake urged consumers to be wary when it comes to events advertised on social media and to confirm the legitimacy of a website and its operator before entering financial or personal details online.
“Check who registered the website and how long it’s been around using the ICANN registration data lookup tool. If the site is new or hides this info, it’s best to stay away,” she said.
Originally published as Scam social media ads luring Aussies to lantern events that don’t exist
