More than 100,000 internet users have been fooled by a fake Qantas Facebook page, which claimed to offer free first class flights.
The page attracted at least 80,000 likes and over 100,000 shares by claiming to offers travellers the chance to win free flights for a year, before it was taken down by Facebook.
The fake page is designed to attract a large number of likes before switching into promoting other dubious products and services for which users had not subscribed.
Despite selling pages being against Facebook’s terms and conditions, a page with more than 100,000 likes could attract upwards of £1000 if sold on the black market, or earn even more by using it to market directly to consumers.
The number of people joining the page caused Qantas to publicly speak out against the fake page, telling customers:
“We’re aware of this fake Facebook account. It is a scam and has nothing to do with Qantas. Facebook has been advised and are currently investigating,” the company wrote.
“Our campaigns are always run from our authenticated Facebook page (identified by its authorised blue tick) or through the official Qantas website.”
Photograph by Aero Icarus