Adelaide New Years Eve Scam: Fake party boat event in Glenelg scams around 150 people out of their money

More than 100 revelers have been scammed out of their money after accidentally buying tickets to a fake New Year’s Eve yacht party – with partygoers not realizing the event was not happening until they arrived at the dock.

The yacht was due to pick up participants from Adelaide’s beachside suburb of Glenelg, South Australia, hours before the fireworks were due to start to ring in the New Year.

Revelers could purchase tickets to the fake party on reputable event website Eventbrite for $130, with the event slated to start at 8:30 p.m. – three and a half hours before the fireworks start.

But TikTok users Jayden Clark and Cameron Chappell said they, along with other ticket holders, soon realized they had all been scammed when the yacht never arrived.

Revelers have been scammed out of their money after paying $130 for tickets to a fake New Year’s Eve boat party in Glenelg, South Australia

TikTok user Jayden Clark (pictured) claimed the party was organized on event website Eventbrite and included free drinks, free food, round-trip bus transport and a DJ playing on board

The couple claimed the boat party included free drinks, free food and a DJ for entertainment and dancing.

The event even offered a free bus ride back to Adelaide after the event.

“It was supposed to be all inclusive drinks, unlimited, with some food, a DJ – it would be amazing, we’d be out on the water to see the fireworks show,” said Mr Clark, who bought tickets with a group of 10 Friends.

“We arrived at 8:00 p.m., the boat was supposed to leave at 8:30 p.m., and basically more and more people were slowly arriving. There is no boat.

“This was hosted by Eventbrite, which claims to be a reputable brand and app for organizing events, and the event has been cancelled.”

The yacht party’s Facebook page was also deleted pending the boat’s scheduled arrival.

Mr Chappell said in his video: “We booked a New Year’s Eve boat party and when we got there there was no boat, it didn’t exist.”

He estimated that about 150 people were waiting at the dock for the boat to arrive and the person or people who started the event got away with around $20,000.

“Honestly, it’s not such a thing…when people came across the states to celebrate New Year’s Eve with us on this boat tour,” he said.

TikTok user Cameron Chappell (pictured) also bought a ticket and said people had come off the freeway to go to the fraudulent yacht party

About 150 people waited at the dock for the yacht, which never arrived. Mr. Chappell estimated that the scammer or scammers got away with about $20,000

The TikTok user claimed the advertisement for the party and the ticket to the event were “real”.

South Australia Police have received complaints about the event.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Eventbrite and the South Australia Police for comment.