Emirates airline issues ticket scam warning

Online phishing con has circulated on social media

FILE -- In this March 22, 2017 file photo, an Emirates plane taxis to a gate at Dubai International Airport in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Dubai-based Emirates airlines says the U.S. has exempted it from a ban on laptops in airplane cabins. (AP Photo/Adam Schreck, File)
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Emirates airline has issued a warning against signing up to a bogus competition to mark the carrier’s founding anniversary.

Online con-artists are promising two free air tickets to 500 customers to celebrate the airline’s 32nd anniversary by posting bogus competitions on Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter.

Although Emirates has not offered any specific details about the scam, it has been flagged by security news bloggers online.

Users are being asked to click in a link to enter the competition, but that could compromise internet security and expose the user to giving away their log in details or personal information.

“We are aware that there are posts circulating regarding a ticket giveaway for Emirates' birthday,” an airline spokesperson said.

“This is not an official competition and we advise caution. Genuine competitions are only hosted on our official social media accounts, marked with a blue tick.”

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