Beware of Potential TikTok Event Scam: UK Lantern Festival Raises Concerns

If you've been scrolling through TikTok lately, chances are you've stumbled upon adverts for what claims to be the first UK Lantern Festival set to dazzle audiences in London and Birmingham. However, before you rush to buy tickets, it's essential to be aware of some concerning red flags surrounding this event.

The adverts circulating on TikTok showcase stunning visuals of the Lantern Festival, but on closer inspection, it becomes clear that the images used are not from the UK. In fact, they seem to have been lifted from other lantern festivals abroad, raising doubts about the authenticity of the event.

@lanternfestivaluk Venue announcement: 20TH APRIL✨ #birmingham #london #fyp #explorepage #explorepage #fireworks #lanternfestival #nightlightsevent ♬ original sound - Lantern Festival

Despite the website claiming that all tickets are sold out, it's still possible to purchase them. This discrepancy adds to the growing concerns among UK customers that the event might be a TikTok scam.

Scheduled to take place in Birmingham on June 1 and July 13, and in London on May 26 and June 8, the lack of transparency regarding the event's location is another cause for alarm. While the website promises to reveal further details on April 20, the uncertainty leaves potential attendees feeling uneasy.

Adding to the skepticism is the event's refund policy, which states that ticket sales are final with no option for returns, exchanges, or cancellations. Furthermore, the organisers state that they reserve the right not to issue refunds in the event of cancellation due to unforeseen circumstances.

Environmental concerns have also been raised, with the website claiming that all lanterns used will be collected and recycled to leave no trace behind. However, this contradicts the stance of Birmingham City Council and several London councils, which have banned the release of sky lanterns.

@lanternfestivaluk Tickets On Sale Now! #fyp #london #birmingham #fireworks #lanternfestival #trending #nightlightsevent #tangled ♬ original sound - Lantern Festival

In response to the growing unease, Birmingham Council Trading Standards team has launched an investigation into the event. Birmingham City Council has reiterated its policy against the intentional release of lanterns, with a spokesperson telling the MailOnline: “We are aware of a number of online adverts promoting a lantern festival, reportedly including two dates in Birmingham, that have prompted concern this could be a scam – and our Trading Standards team are looking into this.

“Birmingham City Council does not permit the intentional release into the sky of lanterns from any land or property which it owns and/or controls – this includes our streets, public spaces, cemeteries and local authority schools."

As the investigation unfolds, it's a good time to remind you that it's essential to exercise caution and make sure you do your research before purchasing tickets to any event, especially those promoted on social media platforms like TikTok.

Stay informed, stay vigilant, and remember: if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

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