Fake Malaysia Airlines MH370 advert shows you shouldn’t rush to believe on the internet

Malaysia Airlines fake advertThe disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 has understandably perplexed the world.

So it’s no surprise to see internet users fill the gaping void of real information with conspiracy theories, tales of (frankly improbable) cyber hijacks, and the inevitable Facebook video scams.

On Facebook and Twitter some users have, in the absence of real news, shared images of what they believe to be spooky strangely prescient web promotion by Malaysia Airlines.

The advert appears at first glance to foretell the Boeing 777’s dematerialisation with 12 crew members and 227 passengers onboard.

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Potential customers are told to “lose themselves on a journey of epic proportions” and that “wherever they go no one will ever know”.

Fake advert for Malaysia Airlines

But look again.

Fake Malaysia Airlines advert

The ad (embedded above, with my annotations) is a fake. That’s not a Boeing 777, it’s an Airbus A380. The difference in the placement of the aircraft’s windows and the number of engines make it obvious to even non-airplane buffs like me.

Here’s the original advert which the fake was based upon.

Real Malaysia Airlines advert

Quite what kind of cold-hearted person thinks it’s funny to create bogus images or daft videos about the disappearance of flight MH370, when hundreds of people remain distraught about the fate of their loved ones, is beyond me.

Think and check your facts before sharing content online. You might not only be in danger of looking like you’ve been duped, but helping to compound someone’s heartache.

If you are on Facebook, and want to be kept updated with news about security and privacy risks, and tips on how to protect yourself online, join the Graham Cluley Security News Facebook page.


Graham Cluley is an award-winning keynote speaker who has given presentations around the world about cybersecurity, hackers, and online privacy. A veteran of the computer security industry since the early 1990s, he wrote the first ever version of Dr Solomon's Anti-Virus Toolkit for Windows, makes regular media appearances, and is the co-host of the popular "The AI Fix" and "Smashing Security" podcasts. Follow him on Bluesky and Mastodon, or drop him an email.

One comment on “Fake Malaysia Airlines MH370 advert shows you shouldn’t rush to believe on the internet”

  1. Jessica

    You forgot this:

    http://www.hoax-slayer.com/images/fake-malaysia-airlines-ad-3.jpg

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