‘WE ARE NOT INVOLVED’ are the words of The Royalton White Sands resort, which today (June 1), distanced itself from any association with the three-day Portland Paradise Weekend (PPW) event. The Montego Bay hotel is also urging persons who have booked tickets to contact their banks immediately. 

The Blue Diamond-managed resort, in a statement on Tuesday (June 1) said it became aware of its brand and address being listed on Eventbrite as the host venue for Portland Paradise Weekend. Attached were outrageous sums starting at US$89.99 for ‘early-bird tickets’ and up to $1199 for a three-day Royalton stay.

The Eventbrite listing further claimed hip-hop rappers Da Baby, Cardi B, Rick Ross, Meek Mill and Offset, as well as R&B queen Mary J Blige were among the acts slated to perform.

Royalton White Sands, calling the event “fake”, indicated that there is no truth to the reported July 2 to 4 date. 

Checks by Our Today show Eventbrite is no longer publishing details for PPW, which was cancelled in 2020 according to social media pages, for reasons undisclosed.

Despite the Eventbrite listing neither its Facebook nor Instagram pages are promoting a 2021 revival of Portland Paradise Weekend.

“The ‘Paradise Weekend 3 Day Event’ is fake; Blue Diamond Resorts and Royalton White Sands have no affiliation with this event and it is in no way linked to any current and approved programming at this property,” the statement declared.

“We would like to take this opportunity to disengage on any activities and actions performed by these individuals making and unauthorized use of our brand and commercial names and to mention that this fraudulent event has been already reported to such ticketing website,” Blue Diamond Resorts continued.

• Related content: Mood Fest, Seiveright trade blows as Twitter feud evolves into legal threat

Just a day prior, Senior Advisor in the Ministry of Tourism Delano Seiveright disclosed on Twitter that a growing list of party scams was popping up in reference to Jamaica. 

Seiveright said Paradise Weekend and Mood Fest were ‘scams’ targeting American tourists. Mood Fest organisers, however, is contesting Seiveright’s claim against their event and have retained Jamaican attorney-at-law Jennifer Housen.

Full Royalton White Sands statement:

“It has been brought to our attention that a fraudulent event claiming to be on behalf of Royalton White Sands Resort, owned and operated by Blue Diamond Resorts, is being promoted by the event management and ticketing website, Eventbrite. 

The “Paradise Weekend 3 Day Event” is fake; Blue Diamond Resorts and Royalton White Sands have no affiliation with this event and it is in no way linked to any current and approved programming at this property.

We would like to take this opportunity to disengage on any activities and actions performed by these individuals making and unauthorized use of our brand and commercial names and to mention that this fraudulent event has been already reported to such ticketing website.

Royalton White Sands is taking all necessary measures to have the event removed from Eventbrite, and to ensure any possible fraudulent events on behalf of Blue Diamond Resorts properties in future are flagged. 

Guests’ ongoing trust and confidence in us as a business has been paramount, and we will continue to call out deceitful claims that put our current and future guests at risk.

Individuals who believe they may have been impacted by this event are encouraged to contact their bank branch or credit card provider directly to review or revert the charge.”