Total Wipeout Tour: Thousands sign up to apparent Facebook scam
A 'Total Wipeout Tour' that saw thousands register on social media appears to have been little more than an online scam.
Over 40 towns and cities across the UK were listed on a Facebook group called 'Total Wipeout Tour', which stated:
The events and page - now unavailable on Facebook - claimed to have no links to the BBC or the production company behind the hit TV programme and specified dates but no exact locations.
There appears to be no website for the event, and all venues are "to be announced" - which should always arouse suspicions.
On the Facebook page, organisers ask people interested in taking part to enter their details, including an email address and date of birth on a Google online form.
Before the page was taken down some commentators urged prospective competitors to think before handing over important information.
"Some people fall for anything," another wrote.
Others doubted the event's authenticity on Twitter:
It is thought that the operation could have been a 'data mining' exercise - which would allow those collecting information from participants to sell it on to marketing companies.
Others suggest it could have been a 'Facebook-gaming' attempt. This is when companies trick people into liking and sharing a post or group - with a particularly emotive image, say - then sell the page on once it has hit a certain number of likes. The buyer can then change the details to reflect their product, company or political views.