Blackpool hoaxer tries to sell Eat Out to Help Out table reservations for up to £25

Posting on a popular Blackpool Facebook group yesterday afternoon (August 26), the woman said she had booked nine tables at some of the resort's most popular restaurants for the final evening of the Government's Eat Out to Help Out offer.

She said: "Right weeks ago I booked loads of tables for final night of Rishi deal, and now selling them, all these are booked for certain times and amount of people, thought it would be worth making a few quid for final night."

The 'tables for sale' included peak-time reservations at Miller & Carter in St Annes and Poulton, as well as Jade Delight, Gurka, Baby Kingfisher, Winston's Bistro and Michael's Indian in Blackpool. The tables ranged from £10 for a table for two at Winston's to £25 for a table for six at the fully-booked Gurka.

The woman added: "Inbox me for payment details and surname will be given once payment made."

But was it all just a hoax?

The social media post led to more than 730 comments, with some people bashing the woman for her mercenary money-maker.

One woman said: "Absolute joke. Trying to make money on the back of what people have been through. You disgusting piece of filth."

But most people quickly realised the post was tongue-in-cheek.

One man said: "It really is amazing how many people believe stuff like this. The same people that share competitions to win a Range Rover and trips to Centre Parcs no doubt."

However, it is believed to have been a hoax, with the person appearing to use a fake profile and failing to respond to private messages.

But it was not just those on Facebook who became embroiled in the wind-up. Some of the restaurants fell for it too.

After being made aware of the 'scam', Miller & Carter steakhouse in St Annes rushed out a warning to its customers.

It said: "We have just been made aware of a scam that is currently happening on Facebook, an individual is trying to sell tables for tonight.

"This table has been cancelled and we will be asking for ID upon arriving. Please do not send any money to them, as there will not be a table available."

It later added: "These tables are not booked, so please do not pay any money to them."

The person behind the hoax post did not reply to a request for comment.