Halloween fans warned over fake scarefest ticket scam
Company Halloween Nights Fear listed 10 events across the UK, with venues confirming the listings are not genuine.
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Halloween enthusiasts have been alerted to a potential scam involving tickets for "scarefest" events sold by a company named Halloween Nights Fear. The company listed 10 events across England, Scotland, and Wales, scheduled to run from 20 October to 1 November. Ticket prices varied between £14 and £140.
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Three of the listed venues, Cardiff Castle, Bradgate Park in Leicestershire, and Transport for London, have publicly stated that the events advertised at their locations are not real. The BBC reported that attempts to verify the other seven listed venues have not yielded responses, and no evidence of the events exists beyond the company's website. Technology expert David McClelland described the Halloween Nights Fear website as highly sophisticated and convincing, suggesting the use of artificial intelligence in its creation.
McClelland noted that while the website appeared legitimate with extensive content and images, closer examination revealed signs consistent with AI generation. He told the BBC that such sophisticated websites can be difficult for most people to identify as fraudulent. The Halloween Nights Fear website was launched in July, and the company has since removed its social media presence. The BBC was unable to reach the company for comment, as the provided telephone number was not recognised.
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Leicestershire Trading Standards has also identified several concerns with the website, including a non-working telephone number, an apparently false address, and a recently registered domain. A spokesperson for Leicestershire Trading Standards stated that steps are being taken to contact the website operator and request its deactivation. They are advising anyone who has purchased tickets and believes they have been affected to contact their bank to discuss potential recovery options. Advice can also be sought from the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
James Dymond, director at Bradgate Park, expressed concern for individuals who may have bought tickets, highlighting that while the venue itself does not suffer direct financial loss, ticket purchasers are at risk of losing their money. He advised the public to always verify event information through official venue websites and social media channels.
Questions this report answers
+What is the Halloween Nights Fear scam?
Halloween Nights Fear listed 10 fake scarefest events across the UK, selling tickets for between £14 and £140. Several venues, including Cardiff Castle and Transport for London, have confirmed these listings are not genuine and the events are not taking place.
+How was the fake website created?
Technology expert David McClelland believes artificial intelligence was used to create the Halloween Nights Fear website. He described it as one of the most sophisticated and convincing scam websites he had encountered, with extensive content that made it appear legitimate.
+What should I do if I bought tickets?
If you have purchased tickets for a fake event, you should contact your bank as soon as possible to discuss potential recovery options. You can also seek advice from the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
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