Scam social media ads luring Aussies to lantern events that don’t exist
Fake online ads and websites attract Australians to buy tickets for Sky Fener Festivals, which do not exist.
Consumer protection receives reports from victims who paid tickets to fake events claiming that paper lanterns will be released to the sky, but such an event was not planned or active.
Scamnet removed three fake websites called AU Skylight, Lantern Fest Australia and Sky Dreams Australia, including a US address, the USA, the UK phone number and Sidney instead of Sidney, including Sidney.
Inspectors showed that new websites, such as the UK SKY Light event, have already appeared in their places and actively restarts sites under different names to avoid perception and aim to target more victims.
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.
Signs and subsequent dates appear to be available when websites are sold.
Authorities warned that the information provided will be caught by scammers and potentially abused, and consumers may not realize that they have been defrauded until they are too late.
Consumer Protection Commissioner Trish Blake was worried that more people could be sacrificed to these frauds than the existing reports suggest.
“If scammers make some dates popular by marking some dates as ‘sold’, they know that people are more likely to hurry to buy tickets,” he said.
“A red flag is the claim that tickets and full location will be published only 48 hours before the event by some websites-this is a very unusual and standard application for legitimate tickets.
“Since events are announced for future dates, many consumers may not realize that they have been defrauded until they are too late – even when they arrive at the place waiting for the event to take place.
“Until then, the window of recovery of their money from their banks may have already been closed.”
Ms. Blake called on social media to be careful when it comes to activities on social media and to approve the legitimacy of a website and operator before entering online financial or personal details.
“Check the website and how long it takes to use the iCann record data search tool. If the site hides this information or this information, it is best to stay away,” he said.
