July 17,2025
RED FM News Desk
York Regional Police are alerting the public to a hot air balloon scam after multiple victims were defrauded by a fake company advertising ride online.
According to investigators from the #5 District Criminal Investigations Bureau, a growing number of residents have reported paying for hot air balloon rides promoted by a company calling itself The Candle Experience 2025. The scam was first reported after a victim responded to a social media advertisement on June 4, 2025, and paid $45 to reserve a ride scheduled for July 5 in Markham.
When the victim arrived at the designated location near 14th Avenue and Donald Cousens Parkway, they found dozens of others who had also booked rides — only to discover that there were no balloons or company staff present. A similar incident occurred at the same park on July 12, 2025, drawing large crowds and vehicles, all expecting a ride that never happened.
Police are urging residents to stay vigilant and avoid falling victim to similar scams. They advise the public to:
- Research customer reviews across multiple platforms
- Verify the business has a valid physical address and contact number
- Be cautious of unusually low prices — legitimate hot air balloon rides typically cost several hundred dollars
- Confirm bookings by contacting the company directly — reputable operators will respond promptly
Anyone who has fallen victim to this scam is encouraged to report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online or by calling 1-888-495-8501.
Those with information related to this investigation are asked to contact the York Regional Police #5 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7541, or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS
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