Warning issued after people buy tickets for fake inflatables event

An event was being advertised in Southend called ‘The Big Jump’, with tickets being sold online – but it was a fake event that was never going to take place.

Fraudsters have used a Facebook page under multiple different names, to promote and sell tickets for events around the country that were never going to happen.

This latest event was being advertised as happening in Southend but the location was vague and not an actual park or field. Instead it directed to Southend Cemetery.

The scammers have also been advertising the same fake event in Brighton, Coventry, Leeds and other UK towns.

Their previous event scams have included a Christmas Lights event in Portsmouth, an Enchanted Forest event in Braintree and a fireworks event in Great Yarmouth.

Many people are understood to have bought tickets and lost their money to the scam.

The scammers are using stolen photos of a real inflatables event, that they have no connection with. The organisers of the real event in Bristol said: “We are NOT in Southend or Brighton and this is NOT our event, yet they are using all our photos and selling tickets. DO NOT buy tickets for this event, it is a scam.”

Southend’s Trading Standards issued a statement: “We are aware of an event that was being advertised locally as ‘The Big Jump – Inflatable Park’ taking place from August 15 to September 5.

“The council has confirmed it has not been approached about a booking or approved this event in Southend. We are aware that the website has now been changed and does not feature Southend but would encourage anyone who is unsure of a site or event credentials to not book tickets or share any personal information.

“If anyone has paid or lost money to a scam, report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 and contact your bank or credit card provider. More advice is also available from Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133.”