Queensland Police in Australia are highlighting social networking security after a teenager’s Facebook account was hacked and thousands of people RSVPed yes to an open house party.
Police became aware of the situation via Twitter. They then contacted the family in South Brisbane, who said they weren’t hosting a party at all this weekend. The parents were also unaware their son’s Facebook account had been hacked.
The boy’s father said it was a lesson for all parents and teenagers who use social media, calling the incident “a real eye-opener.”
“He told me that his account had been hacked into by some friends who advertised the party on Facebook,” said the dad, who wondered how he was going to control the crowd.
The number of people saying they were coming to the party eventually reached around 4,000.
“The numbers of people coming just kept climbing, it was crazy,” said the dad. “I told my son that he better tell everyone that the party wasn’t happening and no one was coming in the front gate.
“We immediately posted online that the party has been cancelled and the account had been hacked,” the father said.
Superintendent District Officer of Wynnum District, Jim Keogh, said police would be on hand to ensure would-be party goers did not cause a disturbance at the address.
“Anyone planning on attending the party advertised on Facebook at a private residence in South Brisbane should make other arrangements,” Keogh said.
