URGENT UPDATE: Australians are falling victim to a wave of deceptive online ads promoting non-existent sky lantern festivals. Authorities are sounding the alarm as reports flood in from consumers who have unknowingly purchased tickets to events that are not scheduled or authorized to take place.
Consumer Protection officials have confirmed that numerous fake websites, including AU Skylight Event, Lantern Fest Australia, and Sky Dreams Australia, have been removed from the internet by ScamNet. The operation identified alarming red flags such as addresses based in the US and phone numbers from the UK, alongside blatant spelling errors like “Sidney” instead of “Sydney.”
Scammers are quickly adapting, launching new sites like UK The Sky Light Event to continue targeting unsuspecting Australians. These fraudulent ads typically direct consumers to seemingly legitimate websites selling tickets for about $50. Once on the site, users are prompted to enter credit card details and other personal information, putting their financial security at risk.
Authorities warn that these scams are designed to create a false sense of urgency. The websites often show certain dates as sold out while displaying later dates as available, tricking consumers into hurriedly purchasing tickets.
Trish Blake, the Consumer Protection commissioner, expressed deep concern over the increasing number of victims. “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 stated.
Adding to the warning, Blake highlighted a common tactic where some sites claim that ticket details and exact venues will only be revealed 48 hours before the event. “That is highly unusual and not standard practice for legitimate ticketed events,” she cautioned.
Many consumers remain unaware that they have been scammed until it is too late—potentially arriving at a venue expecting an event that does not exist. Blake emphasized that by then, the opportunity to recover funds through banks may have already closed.
Consumer Protection urges everyone to exercise caution when encountering event advertisements on social media. It is crucial to verify the legitimacy of any website and its operators before providing financial or personal information online.
To protect against falling victim to scams, Blake recommends checking the registration details of websites through the ICANN registration data lookup tool. If the site is newly registered or conceals its information, it’s best to steer clear.
As this situation develops, consumers are advised to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities to authorities. The rise of these scams underscores the importance of awareness and due diligence in the digital age. Stay informed and share this crucial information with friends and family to help prevent further victimization.
