Airports and airlines manage lost luggage by tracking it through global systems, notifying passengers, arranging delivery, and offering compensation if necessary. Unclaimed luggage is typically stored temporarily before being auctioned, donated, or disposed of. However, a viral post has been circulating on social media, claiming that many airports worldwide sell lost luggage online. This claim has attracted significant attention and reactions from users; However, Fact Crescendo has confirmed that this claim is false.
This is about our investigation of this claim.
Social Media Claim
A Facebook post recently went viral claiming that Kotoka International Airport in Accra was selling forgotten luggage for just ₵31.72 due to a charity event. The post, which stated that unclaimed bags are typically destroyed after 6 months, quickly gained traction and sparked many reactions, comments, and shares.
Many users were excited by the supposed announcement, eagerly discussing the possibility of acquiring luggage at such a low price. The Facebook post, dated November 2024, generated a lot of buzz and led many to believe it was true.
For more information and specifics regarding this post, you can find the details below.
The following post, which has gained attention online, was also shared by a Facebook user who humorously stated, “Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport has organized an online sale of lost luggage for only 98.82 MUR! Every year, a large number of lost or forgotten suitcases accumulate in warehouses”.
The same screenshot, along with the identical claim, has also been observed and shared by another X user.
This repetition highlights the viral nature of the claim and its ability to spread across different platforms, with the claim stating, “Lost luggage at Kotoka International Airport is now sold for ¢31.72 if the owner has not come for it after 6 months”.
Given the claim’s extensive dissemination and the considerable attention, it has received from the internet community, we believed it was necessary to perform a fact-check on the above subject.
Fact Check
Fact Crescendo monitors and verifies these photos through the Google Reverse Image Search process, which leads us to find the truth as follows:
As of the publication of this article, there are no credible reports or verified sources to support the claim that airports are selling lost luggage online.
Extensive checks by fact-checking organizations and authorities have found no evidence that airports or airlines engage in such practices.
The idea of airports selling unclaimed or lost luggage through online platforms appears to be a baseless rumor or a scam, with no legitimate sources backing the claim.
According to the official website (archived) of Ghana’s Kotoka International Airport, there is no announcement regarding the sale of lost luggage online. Furthermore, the airport has no connection to the suspicious link being circulated on social media platforms.
GACL management also clarified that the claim is false, intended to mislead the public, and confirmed it has not delegated such responsibilities to any third party. They strongly disassociate from the post and reaffirm their commitment to protecting travelers’ interests.
Happy Ghana News Report | Archived Link
Also, according to the Airports of Mauritius website, one of their airports, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, has been targeted by a viral post claiming they are offering an online sale of lost luggage. However, no official announcement has been made regarding such an event. This confirms that the claim shared by the social media user is not legitimate or trustworthy.
Airports of Mauritius Link | Archived Link
In addition, we verified the link provided in the claim post and found that it redirects to a website entirely unrelated to the alleged online sale of lost luggage at major airports. Instead, the link leads to an unrelated site that we are not working properly, indicating a phishing attempt or scam.
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Such claims are not new and have been frequently circulated in the past, only to be consistently debunked each time. These false claims about the sale of lost luggage at airports have been proven to be misleading and fraudulent on several occasions, with fact-checking organizations and authorities regularly exposing them as scams. Despite repeated debunking, the claims continue to resurface, causing confusion and concern among the public.
Fact Crescendo Sri Lanka, for instance, has previously debunked this claim, which targeted Bandaranaike International Airport. The team confirmed the claim to be false, and Airport & Aviation Services Sri Lanka has verified that the viral posts are a scam. They urge readers to avoid sharing sensitive information with such fraudulent websites.
Fact Crescendo Sri Lanka News Report | Archived Link
To help protect ourselves from online scams, here are some essential tips:
- Never share our passwords with anyone.
- Keep our personal information secure and private.
- Avoid clicking on suspicious or unverified links.
By staying vigilant, we can reduce the risk of falling victim to online fraud.
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Conclusion
Fact Crescendo found that the claim, accompanied by the photo posted on social media, is false. There are no credible sources or verified reports confirming that airports are involved in the online sale of lost luggage. The viral posts claiming otherwise are part of a scam. Readers are strongly advised to refrain from sharing sensitive information with such fraudulent websites.
Title:Lost Luggage Scam at Major Airports Resurfaces: Travelers Beware
Fact Check By: Kakada SimResult: False
