Two bogus Facebook (FB) pages posted an announcement alleging that the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is clearing out its warehouse and selling unchecked pieces of luggage. There is no such “luggage sale.”
The photos used in these fake posts are old and unrelated to the NAIA.
Appearing as early as Nov. 21, the posts bore the text:
“Ninоy Aquіno International Airport. Start of sales in 2023! From now on, we will clear out the airport warehouse and sell luggage that has gone unchecked for 6 months. Ninоy Aquino Airport can dispose of these suitcases, organise a charity event and distribute the forgotten luggage for only ₱556.54 per suitcase!”
Attached to the posts are photos of “lost” bags and suitcases lined up inside an airport, selling for P556. Some comments affirming the legitimacy of the sale were all made on the same day and almost at the same time – raising a red flag and suggesting that these are not legitimate comments.
NAIA has denied such a sale. In a Nov. 23 FB post, the NAIA has warned the public about these posts claiming the “lost pieces of luggage are on sale.” The airport said they do not sell unclaimed luggage and have protocols in place to deal with it.
A reverse image search revealed that the two photos are not recent ones and do not feature the NAIA airport. One photo featured an airport in Dusseldorf, Germany.
Note: Click on the photos to view their original source
These posts emerged as a member of the House of Representatives urged his peers in the Senate to approve a measure that would impose stiffer penalties for scammers who commit digital fraud on unsuspecting victims.
The bogus FB pages Ninoy Aquino announcement (created on Nov. 21), Lost baggage (Nov. 22) and Lost luggage (Nov. 23) that published these posts collectively garnered over 9,400 reactions, 5,100 comments and 1,400 shares.
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(Editor’s Note: VERA Files has partnered with Facebook to fight the spread of disinformation. Find out more about this partnership and our methodology.)
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