5 Dec 2020

Anger after cash 'drop' turns out to be fake offer

5:26 pm on 5 December 2020

There were ugly scenes in Aotea Square this afternoon, as people jostled to grab what they thought was money falling from the sky.

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People held on to some of the fake notes. Photo: Twitter / screenshot

An online shop selling work safety gear had promised to give away $100,000.

But it turned out to be fake money.

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A crowd gathered in Aotea Square hoping for some free money. Photo: Twitter / screenshot

Green MP Ricardo Menendez March who attended said he was disgusted by the event. He said a small riot broke out early on.

"People in need from across the region gathered, clearly hoping their hardship would be alleviated," Menendez March said in a tweet.

"There was a lot of upset and the situation became unsafe."

The police say they were made aware of the promotion yesterday and officers attended to ensure people's safety.