Aberdeen’s Marcliffe Hotel has issued a public alert following the emergence of a fraudulent Facebook account actively impersonating the luxury establishment. The scam aimed to illicitly obtain bank details from participants in the hotel’s popular online competitions, underscoring a rising trend of brand impersonation on social media platforms.
The deceptive account appeared shortly after the Marcliffe launched its latest giveaway, which included a prize of a three-course dinner for two at its forthcoming glass-domed Skylark brasserie. Fraudsters replicated the hotel’s original Facebook content and directed unsuspecting entrants to an external website, featuring “Marcliffe” in its URL, to solicit sensitive financial information under the guise of prize claims.
Gary Harris, Director at the Marcliffe Hotel, confirmed the incident and urged the public to exercise caution. He commented:
“A fraudulent Facebook account was recently created, impersonating our business and contacting entrants of our competition. As soon as we became aware, we immediately reported the issue to Facebook, and the fake profile was removed within minutes. Unfortunately, this type of activity is becoming increasingly common across social media platforms. We encourage everyone to remain vigilant and only interact with our official channels for updates and announcements.”
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The prevalence of such scams is a growing concern for businesses, with social media now reportedly surpassing email as the primary channel for online fraud in the UK.
This incident occurs amidst a period of significant investment and expansion for the five-star Aberdeen hotel. The Marcliffe is currently running its “12 Days of Christmas” competition, offering various prizes, including afternoon tea and luxury skincare treats. A key development is the imminent opening of the £5.5 million Skylark brasserie, set to launch at the end of January and expected to create up to 20 new jobs. Marcliffe owner and chairman, Sir Jim Milne, has expressed hopes that the new venue, with its unique glass-domed design offering panoramic views, will become a significant attraction in Aberdeen.
The Skylark brasserie is part of a broader multi-million-pound refurbishment initiative at the hotel. Recent upgrades include the transformation of three bedrooms into luxury suites and the opening of “The Cushie,” a new whisky and sports bar in the former billiard room. These developments follow the acquisition of the Marcliffe by Balmoral Group, founded by Sir Jim Milne, in June 2024, from the Spence family.
