You might have seen those beautiful ads floating around social media promising a magical night where hundreds of glowing lanterns drift into the sky above Perth. Unfortunately, it's all a scam
You might have seen those beautiful ads floating around social media promising a magical night where hundreds of glowing lanterns drift into the sky above Perth. It might have been promoted as part of a seasonal event such as Halloween or Christmas with all-inclusive tickets including food trucks, entertainment and rides.
Sounds lovely, right? Unfortunately, it's all a scam.
The ads look convincing, linking to slick websites that usually sell tickets for between $30-$50. In true scammer fashion, they'll make you feel rushed into parting with your money by claiming some events are sold out or there are limited tickets.
Premier locations such as Kings Park and similar spots around the country seem to be the target for these events and you'll usually be told you won't receive your official ticket until closer to the date. By the time you realise there's no event, it's often too late to get your money back through a credit card chargeback.
Behind the scenes, these criminals are collecting credit card payments and personal details that can later be stolen or misused.
When WA ScamNet started receiving reports about the fake events, they dug deeper and found plenty of clues something was off. There were spelling mistakes like "Sidney" instead of "Sydney," mismatched overseas contact details, and website domains that were only recently created. Upon checking with the supposed event locations, they discovered no such events had ever been approved.
Attempts to disrupt the scammers efforts by having the fake websites taken down is like a game of whack-a-mole, with new websites ready to pop up as soon as one is removed.
Aside from the scam itself, it's important to note "sky lantern" events cannot happen anyway. Releasing open-flame lanterns is banned in Australia because of the serious fire and burns risk. Some of the newer ads have even claimed the festivals would use "micro-LED bulbs that self-destruct" or "eco drone shows" to try and fool unsuspecting people.
If you're tempted to buy tickets to an event you've seen on social media, take a moment to double-check it first. Use the ICANN website lookup tool ( https://lookup.icann.org/ ) to see who registered the site and how long it's been around. If it's new or the contact details are hidden, it's best to steer clear. If you're still unsure, it's also worth checking with the local council where the event is due to take place to see if they're aware of it. Large events in places like parks will have to be approved.
