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Monday November 23, 2009 8:25 AM AEST
Skip Navigation LinksPC Authority > News > Thousands taken in by online Olympics scam
Thousands taken in by online Olympics scam
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Thousands taken in by online Olympics scam

by Nick Farrell  on Aug 4, 2008
Tags: Thousands | taken | in | by | online | Olympics | scam
"yea i really don't know how someone could spend that much money in one hit online. i don't earn much more than that in 2 years. i don't even trust internet banking. but i suppose i still do it ..."
 
Beijingticketing.com made a bomb
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE are finding themselves without a ticket to the Beijing Olympics after being taken in by an online scam.

The slick, professional-looking Website, beijingticketing.com, which boasts offices in Sydney, London and New York, is actually a scam and its owners have done a runner.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has received complaints from hundreds of alleged victims all over the world with some customers handing over thousands of dollars for non-existent tickets.

It seems that the biggest victim was a Texas-based travel agent, Jolanta Sochacka who shelled out $57,000 for a family of seven. She said that the company looked so legitimate because its website was so elaborate.

Hacks have tailed the company to an empty office in Phoenix, Arizona and the IOC and the US Olympic Committee (USOC) will today ask a federal judge in San Francisco for an order to shut the website down.
theinquirer.net (c) 2009 Incisive Media
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Comments: 5
Thoughts on this article? Add a comment below.
totoaus
Aug 8, 2008 10:25 PM
I'd like to know the real truth behind this so called scam. A company rep was recently on the news saying their ticket supplier had failed to deliver to them.
It is also hard to understand how a travel agent could really lose $57,000 on Beijing tickets, even for a family that size. After all, credit card transactions are usually protected from fraud and anyone experienced with international travel should also have travel insurance, to help defray losses.
Besides, put it into perspective, THEY'RE NOT DEAD! Go to China anyway and enjoy the trip. Even over the next few weeks Beijing has lots to offer besides Olympic events.
Penultimately, any intelligent person should know that such huge events only serve to bring out the scammers, the scalpers; and even some genuine people who try to do the right thing. Finally, maybe it wasn't a scam, just an honest business endeavour that failed; of course I believe that most people are honest, decent and hardworking.


Comment made about the PC Authority article:
Thousands taken in by online Olympics scam?
Beijingticketing.com made a bomb

What do you think? Join the discussion.
Slatts
Aug 9, 2008 12:12 PM
OMG! An online scam when there's a major event in the offing! Who would have seen that coming?
So the website looked real. If you're going to fork out thousands of dollars to someone I'd suggest you base your decision on something more concrete than a pretty website.
ultimately, caveat emptor. Buyer beware.
Jim.Dude
Aug 9, 2008 4:07 PM
Lolz, such compassion there Slattsy...although I agree, how stupid can some people be?
Slatts
Aug 9, 2008 6:59 PM
Jim.Dude wrote:
Lolz, such compassion there Slattsy...although I agree, how stupid can some people be?

I'm a very caring sorta bloke Jim[-o<
krazikiwi
Aug 11, 2008 8:30 PM
yea i really don't know how someone could spend that much money in one hit online.
i don't earn much more than that in 2 years.
i don't even trust internet banking. but i suppose i still do it don't i?
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