Lantern festival scam fears spark investigation

The website for the lantern festival shows tickets have sold out for both Birmingham and London

A trading standards investigation has been launched following fears an upcoming festival could be a scam.

The Lantern Festival is billed to take place in Birmingham and London this summer, although venues have not been confirmed.

But it has prompted social media speculation the events could be like the infamous 2017 Fyre Festival, which was regarded as the world's biggest festival flop.

Organisers Lantern Festival UK has said the events are set to take place on private land and have been carefully planned.

Keira Guise fears she won't be able to get her money back if the event turns out to be a scam

One woman who purchased two tickets for £50 has told the BBC that she fears she will not get her money back.

Scrolling through social media, Keira Guise spotted the advert for the event she believed would be a "bucket list moment".

However, a day after her purchase, she became sceptical after seeing others express concerns about the legitimacy of the festival.

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute has now confirmed it has begun an investigation.

"It has all the hallmarks of something that isn't as legitimate as it is making out," said Katherine Hart, the institute's lead officer for doorstep crime, scams and consumer vulnerability.

"The website looks very glossy, but there are a lot of misleading terms on that website that raises my concern."

Katherine Hart says misleading terms on the organiser's website are concerning

On its pre-sale registration page, the event organiser has said more than 46,000 people had filled in a form to be notified when tickets became available.

Prices start at £35 for an individual, £50 for two people and £75 for a group of four.

On X, formerly known as Twitter, a user posted: "The lantern festival that I keep seeing on TikTok is giving Fyre Festival lol. Huge scam!

"You think the UK government would actually allow 2,000 lanterns in the sky when ULEZ is a thing?"

Another added: "If you're considering paying money to a site claiming to be hosting Lantern Festival UK in Birmingham next month, just bear in mind Chinese lanterns are banned by pretty much every local authority in the Midlands, not to mention the airports in the area."

Birmingham City Council has said launching lanterns from any local authority-owned land is prohibited.

The council said the lanterns could be harmful to the environment and wildlife or cause major fires on landing.

Those who have already bought tickets have been urged to contact their banks to apply for a refund.