[ad_1]
People who flocked to Aotea Square in Auckland on Saturday hoping to get some free money have been left angry, penniless and injured.
The Safety Warehouse event was touted as “New Zealand’s first massive cash crash”, with the promise of “real money” flying out of the sky to the tune of $ 100,000.
You were there? Email your video to [email protected]
The Safety Warehouse and Auckland Council have been contacted for comment.
People came by the hundreds after getting free tickets, but when the cash started to rain and people realized that the fake money was falling, things got “very, very ugly,” said Green Representative Ricardo Menéndez.
READ MORE:
* Animal rights protesters will march on Auckland’s Queen St
* Auckland teachers strike draws thousands to Queen St
* Auckland police and councilman clash over weekend violence
SUPPLIED
Wayne Lynch traveled from Palmerston North hoping to win some free money.
He stumbled upon the event by chance and said it became “quite violent” after the crowd realized what was happening.
He said he saw people get trampled on as the crowd rushed for the fake money, with some sports cuts.
Wayne Lynch drove from Palmerston North with his partner, hoping that the $ 120 he spent on gas would be more than offset by the cash gift.
He realized that was not the case when he captured his first two notes and discovered that they were false. Instead of legal tender, “cash” gives the bearer a 30 percent discount on orders from The Safety Warehouse, which sells PPE online.
Lynch said that he is now stranded in Auckland with no money to go home.
He was also injured in the crowd, he said.
“They trampled me, when they were throwing money away I had a lot of people on top of me.
Menéndez said he was concerned that adequate security measures were not in place.
In a one-line statement, Auckland Live Director Robbie Macrae said that “Auckland Live issued a venue rental agreement for this event, based on the event promoter’s request meeting all of our requirements.”
Menéndez also asked the company to offer financial compensation to everyone with a ticket, including the cost of the trip to Plaza Aotea.
“It’s really vile that The Safety Warehouse was doing a public relations stunt taking advantage of the fact that we are in an economic crisis,” he said.
LAWRENCE SMITH / Things
Ricardo Menéndez called the promotion “vile.”
Inspector Gary Davey, Auckland City Central Police Area Commander, said police were present for security reasons and additional units were called to the scene to ensure the safety of the attendees.
Following the event there were a number of reports of disorder, he said, with investigations underway.
West Aucklander Rachael Santos spent about $ 20 on gas and $ 8 on parking for herself and her 8-year-old son Zachary to attend the event.
Santos, a naturally skeptical person, said he spent a lot of time researching to see if he could find a trap, but no red flags appeared: “It seemed legitimate.”
With Christmas approaching, she said she was “desperate” for cash. She said she was heartbroken for those who went.
“It wasn’t like there were really rich people there. We were all broke, that’s the reason we were there.
“There were a lot of people we talked to who were in real poverty.”
Screenshot
The Safety Warehouse website touted the event as a “live cash raffle.”
On The Safety Warehouse’s now-deleted Facebook page, more than 2,000 people registered their interest in the event.
The company said it had been a “huge year” for them.
“Kiwi [sic] they have had to fork out for personal protective safety equipment that they never anticipated the need to buy and Covid19 has made life difficult for many families.
“We are the company of the people and we are proud of it, which is why we are dropping $ 100,000 in value from the sky at Aotea Square at 12pm on Saturday the 5th. Yes, REAL MONEY will fly from the sky,” he said.
