Scammers Target Running Enthusiasts Amid Gold Coast Marathon Surge

June 29, 2025
Scammers Target Running Enthusiasts Amid Gold Coast Marathon Surge

As the popularity of marathons continues to rise, particularly evident in the recent Gold Coast half marathon that sold out in a mere four hours, scammers are increasingly exploiting this trend, according to various reports. This surge in demand for marathon spots, coupled with a significant waiting list of over 10,000 hopeful participants, has opened the door for deceptive practices aimed at unsuspecting runners.

Jess Iapella, a 36-year-old executive assistant from the Gold Coast, fell victim to one such scam when attempting to purchase a resale ticket for the sold-out Gold Coast half marathon. 'I thought I was internet savvy enough to avoid being fleeced,' Iapella recounted, highlighting how she was lured by an individual who appeared to be a legitimate runner. After transferring half the ticket price via PayID, she soon realized there was no ticket, leading to a disheartening experience.

The Gold Coast marathon, now a highly sought-after event, has witnessed exponential growth in participation, with the half marathon tickets priced at up to $170 and the full marathon at up to $215. This rapid sell-out has left many potential participants desperate to find legitimate entry options.

According to Dr. David Tuffley, a cybersecurity expert from Griffith University, such scams are becoming increasingly prevalent around major sporting events. 'Scammers exploit the fear of missing out that many people have,' Dr. Tuffley explained. He emphasized the need for runners to be vigilant, identifying key red flags such as offers significantly below market value and a sense of urgency that often accompanies these scams.

Marathon organizers have taken steps to combat this issue, implementing measures to 'scam-proof' the event. Ben Mannion, CEO of the Gold Coast Marathon, stated that ticket transfers are now exclusively handled through the official registration portal, ensuring that no money exchanges hands between individuals during legitimate transactions. 'We want to control the opportunity that people buy legitimate entries,' Mannion remarked, comparing the situation to other high-profile events that also attract scammers.

Despite these precautions, many participants, like Iapella, still feel a sense of vulnerability when navigating the ticket purchasing landscape. 'I'm definitely disappointed, but I’m going to be watching it and maybe next year I'll be ready to run the full marathon,' she said, reflecting on her experience.

Calls have also emerged for tech companies such as Meta to enhance their monitoring systems, as Iapella noted that her report of the fraudulent profile was addressed only after the scam had taken place. 'Couldn't they detect the profile earlier?' she questioned, highlighting the ongoing challenges in effectively combating online scams.

This growing problem of ticket fraud not only impacts individual runners but also reflects broader issues surrounding the integrity of online marketplaces and the responsibilities of tech companies in safeguarding their users. As the running community continues to expand, the need for vigilance and robust protective measures becomes increasingly urgent.

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Tags

Gold Coast MarathonMarathon ScamsRunning EventsJess IapellaDavid TuffleyCybersecurityTicket FraudEvent ManagementBen MannionSocial Media ScamsAthleticsRunning EnthusiastsConsumer ProtectionOnline SafetyScam PreventionGold CoastAustraliaFraud AwarenessEvent TicketingSports IndustryCyber CrimePublic AwarenessTech Company ResponsibilityWaiting ListTicket TransfersRunning CommunityOnline MarketplacesScam ReportingMeta PlatformsSports Participation

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