What at first only looks like a lot of confusion can, however, also have nasty consequences. The specialist Hermann Hohenberger, managing director of the digital start-up center in Hof, knows the problem. He warns that fraudsters could also be behind it.
According to Hohenberger, alleged organizers then often orient themselves towards well-known events and thus manage to arouse great interest. In the case of the alleged Untreusee open air event, thousands of Facebook users clicked on “Interested” or “Accepted”. The problem: The person who created the event then knows who from the region is interested in music and concerts. “This data can be sold at a high price and used for targeted advertising,” says Hohenberger. Or worse: criminals could use the data set to specifically write to Facebook users or send them friend requests – something like this is sometimes provided with links that hide malware, according to Hohenberger. According to current knowledge, this probably did not happen at the wrong Untreusee events, but the risk exists from the point of view of the experts.
Wrong organizers with strange phone numbers
Another trap lurks: telephone rip-offs. The dubious organizers, who call themselves “Live music event” and “Classic music zone” or “Worldwide Musical Festival” and “Live virtual concert online”, have sometimes given questionable e-mail addresses and telephone numbers on their own profiles, for example with Area code from Belgium or Bangladesh. Satellite networks, consumer advice centers warn, could also be behind such numbers. Under no circumstances should you call such numbers – it could be expensive.
Such things should also make Facebook users suspicious. Hermann Hohenberger knows, however, that the culprits are very clever at baiting people: “For example, they are now exploiting people’s need to finally want to experience something again. Open air, great weather, finally back among the people, the reflex to accept something like this is of course great. “
On platforms like Facebook, you leave traces every time you use it. As Heiko Mettke, spokesman for the Hof Police Inspection, explains, users should have that in mind. “Some people don’t mind that, but you should be aware of the matter.” Mettke: “With every like or interest in an event, data is generated that could also be turned into money. You should just know that. ”
Check information on the Internet
Moving around the Internet with your eyes open is also advisable Frankenpost-Editor-in-chief Marcel Auermann: “Here we have a typical example that shows how untrustworthy some information on social channels such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Co. is. If you rely on some postings, you can rely on it. ”The editor-in-chief emphasizes:“ These cases make it clear how important independent, thoroughly researched, truthful, checked information from trained editors is. ”In times when anyone can publish almost anything and anywhere , journalism is more important than ever.
But a glimmer of hope flashes in all the confusion: Because the fact that thousands of people would have been interested in an open air at Untreusee also shows how great the longing is to be able to celebrate carefree again. The Frankenpost definitely wants to offer events again, assures Michael Göppel. There are already initial ideas, but nothing is ready to be said at the moment.
The dubious open-air events have now been reported to Facebook. The Frankenpost has made contact with a contact person at the company. The police are also dealing with the case.
How to Debunk Fake Events
• The problem with some fake events on Facebook: At first glance, they look like they are real. The fake open-airs advertise with a stolen photo from the event two years ago. Once even the Frankenpost called as “location”.
• So how do you recognize fakes? Do not click directly on “Participate” or “Interested”, but open the information about the event. Then you see the event creator – in this case not the Frankenpost. Use common sense: Does the description of the event sound serious or does it raise questions? Missing information? Are phone numbers or email addresses reputable?
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