Fake Facebook event Wipeout University Tour uncovered

Event Screenshot

A Facebook page claiming to represent a popular television show is conning students across the UK into divulging personal details.

The page has set up a number of events with each one claiming the Wipeout University Tour is coming to a particular university.

However, the official Wipeout Twitter account told York Vision that it wasn’t true that they were holding a university tour.

They said: “We are trying to have [the page] removed.”

The page links to a Google Docs form where students can complete “Pre Registration For Tickets/Apply to enter the WIPEOUT”.

Students must type in their full name, date of birth, email address, phone number and university attended in order to submit the form.

The official Twitter account, @Wipeout, denied holding a university tour in the UK.
The official Twitter account, @Wipeout, denied holding a university tour in the UK.

YUSU President Sam Maguire said: “This page appears to be a scam, students should be extremely careful about where and to whom they enter their personal information.

“Although this does sound awesome as an event and we may be in touch with the official companies to see if it is a possibility.”

Wipeout is a popular game show format from the US where contestants complete a timed obstacle course for cash prizes.

Amanda Byram, a regular host of the show in the UK format denied she was going to be hosting any upcoming UK tour when questioned by Vision.

A University spokesperson said: “I am unclear as to whether this is a deliberate attempt to obtain individuals’ personal data, but all members of the University community should take care to protect their digital identity.

“Further advice on security is available on the University’s IT Services web pages.”

Over 1600 people have signed up to the York Facebook event.

The University Tour UK Facebook page which created the events did not respond to requests for comment from York Vision.

Social media users have alleged that events for two outdoor cinemas and a pillow fight are also fake.


EDIT: A separate investigation claims to have found further evidence that the events are fake. Their findings have been released in the following video.

York Vision is not responsible for the veracity of any of the claims in the above video.

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