Bora Bora Travel Scam Hits Again: Shady Getaway Offer On Facebook (2024)
A bunch of Facebook profiles promising free getaway to Le Meridien Bora Bora are fake. The scammers behind this scheme are just trying to generate traffic on their websites which are mostly streaming platforms.
As a Cybersecurity Analyst, I’ve taken my time to investigate this scam circulated on Facebook. This article provides a clear understanding of this scam, how it works, what to do if you fall victim, and lots more.
Exposing The Bora Bora Scam On Facebook
The “Bora B’ora Getaway” scam page on Facebook urges people to enter a contest through a fake link. If you click on this link, it will take you to a webpage where you enter personal details and eventually directed to sign up for a streaming movie service. The scammers get paid whenever someone signs up for this service. They lure people in using this promise of enticing giveaway if people can share their page. The message says
” This March – We are giving away 14 nights at the Le Meridien Bora Bora for 5 people. Includes Flights, Accommodation & Transfers. You will have 2 years to use the holiday! To participate: Like, Share Comment: “WIN” Closes 7th March at 9pm”. It’s all a scam. Don’t fall for it.
How We Investigated
When we headed over to the Facebook page that shared this post, we discovered Major red flags. The page doesn’t have any real info just pictures of vacation spots taken from other websites. Plus, the people running the page are hiding, they don’t give any company info or contact details if you want to reach out to them.
Red Flags To Watch Out For:
- Fake Facebook Contests: Be careful of posts offering free trips to Bora Bora. Scammers steal photos from real resorts and ask people to share or comment to win. But it’s all a trick to get your personal info.
- Suspicious Contest Clues: Look for unclear rules, fake profile pictures, and bad spelling. Real contests have official pages and let you choose to enter, not force you.
- Fake Travel Websites: Watch out for websites offering super cheap Bora Bora deals. They take your money but then disappear, leaving you with nothing. Check the website details carefully and be cautious.
How To Keep Yourself Safe From Phishing Scams:
- Check who’s sending the message: Make sure the email address or phone number looks right before you trust it.
- Get help from the official website: If you’re not sure about a message, go directly to the company’s website or contact their support team for help.
- Don’t open strange links or files: If you don’t know who sent it, don’t click on any links or open any files, they could be trying to trick you.
Conclusion
Bora Bora is a stunning vacation spot, but it’s not cheap. On average, a week-long trip there costs about $4,000. That covers everything—flight, hotel, food, and fun activities. But scammers are sending out fake messages claiming to offer free vacation to Bora Bora but it’s fake.
Many people have also fallen for similar Facebook scams like I Can’t believe he’s gone, Look who died in an accident, DPD Postman Scam On Facebook Marketplace, Facebook Protect Scam.
