Members of the public are once again urged to exercise extreme caution when responding to hot air balloon advertisements on social media.

Investigators previously exposed the fraudulent booking operation under the names “Hartees Air Adventures” and “Magalies Sky”. However, the operation now appears to be approaching prospective customers as “Magalies Air Tours”.

This is not simply a case of one business having a similar name to another. Instead, information we have received indicates that the same pattern continues. The advertisers promote attractive hot air balloon offers online, move prospective customers to private WhatsApp conversations and request payment for flights that do not take place.

The name has changed, but the warning signs remain

Specialist investigator Mike Bolhuis and the Specialised Security Services Cybercrime Unit previously published a detailed public warning identifying “Hartees Air Adventures” as a fraudulent hot air balloon booking operation.

Their investigation found that the operation created the appearance of a legitimate tourism business, advertised non-existent flights and pressured customers to pay quickly. Victims reportedly received professional-looking booking confirmations and flight information after payment. However, the operators provided no genuine balloon flight.

In addition, the investigation identified “Magalies Sky” as another name associated with the operation. The latest information available to us indicates that people linked to the operation now use “Magalies Air Tours” in a similar manner.

The timing raises further concern. Publicly available domain information shows that someone registered magaliesairtours.com on 22 July 2026, only two days after Mike Bolhuis published his warning on 20 July 2026. Moreover, the registrant concealed the ownership information, and the website has almost no established operating history.

Read the full Mike Bolhuis public warning.

You can also read our earlier warning concerning Hartees Air Adventures and Magalies Sky.

How the suspected scam operates

The reported approach generally follows a familiar pattern:

• First, an advertisement promotes a hot air balloon offer on Facebook or another social media platform.
• Next, the advertiser directs interested customers to WhatsApp to discuss the booking privately.
• The advertiser then offers a heavily discounted or supposedly bank-linked promotional rate.
• To create urgency, the advertiser claims that only a few vouchers or spaces remain.
• The advertiser may also issue a booking code with a very short expiry period.
• Afterwards, the advertiser demands immediate payment before the customer can verify the business.
• The customer may then receive a polished confirmation and plausible flight instructions.
• Finally, the advertiser fails to provide the promised flight and may stop communicating.

A professional website, attractive photographs and convincing WhatsApp messages do not prove that an aviation operator is legitimate.

Warning signs to look for

Therefore, be extremely cautious if an advertiser:

• Uses the name “Magalies Air Tours”, “Hartees Air Adventures” or “Magalies Sky”
• Offers prices far below the established market rate
• Pressures you to pay within minutes to secure a voucher or promotional price
• Conducts the entire booking through social media and WhatsApp
• Requests payment into a personal bank account or through an unusual payment method
• Claims to operate a large fleet but cannot provide verifiable aircraft details
• Cannot produce a valid South African Civil Aviation Authority Air Service Licence and Air Operator Certificate
• Provides vague, conflicting or unverified physical addresses
• Claims to conduct commercial balloon flights directly over Hartbeespoort Dam
• Has a newly created website or social media page with little genuine operating history
• Has no established record of independent reviews from real passengers

Verify before you pay

Commercial hot air balloon operators must meet strict aviation requirements. Therefore, before making any payment, ask the business to provide:

1. Its full registered company name and registration details.
2. A verifiable physical operating address.
3. Proof of its current SACAA Air Service Licence.
4. Proof of its current SACAA Air Operator Certificate.
5. The name and licence details of the pilot who will conduct the flight.
6. A booking confirmation containing details that correspond with the licensed operator.

Do not rely only on the contact details in an advertisement. Instead, search for the operator independently. Then contact the business through the details on an established official website or verified business listing.

What to do if you have already paid

If you have already paid “Magalies Air Tours”, “Hartees Air Adventures”, “Magalies Sky” or a related suspected operation, take the following steps immediately:

• Contact your bank immediately and report the transaction as fraudulent.
• Ask whether the payment can be stopped, recalled or investigated.
• Open a case with the South African Police Service and obtain a case number.
• Preserve every WhatsApp message, email, invoice, payment confirmation and screenshot.
• Record the telephone numbers, email addresses, website addresses, banking details and social media profiles used.
• Report the relevant advertisement, page and profile to the social media platform.
• Contact the investigator whom the Mike Bolhuis public warning identifies: Mr JD Pienaar on +27 66 377 3301 or at jdpienaar@mikebolhuis.co.za.

Most importantly, do not delete any correspondence. Even a small detail may help investigators connect additional names, accounts and websites to the operation.

Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris has no connection to this operation

Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris has no connection or association whatsoever with “Magalies Air Tours”, magaliesairtours.com, “Hartees Air Adventures”, harteesair.com or “Magalies Sky”.

Established in 1981, Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris is a licensed commercial hot air balloon operator based at a private launch site in the Magalies River Valley near Skeerpoort.

Our official booking and enquiry channels are:

• Website: www.balloon.co.za
• Reservations and WhatsApp: +27 83 457 3402
• Email: chat@balloon.co.za / nadia@balloon.co.za

If you are uncertain whether a communication, quotation or booking is genuine, contact us directly before making payment.

Finally, please share this warning.

A new name and a polished website do not make an old scam legitimate.

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to welcoming you on board.

The post BEWARE OF SCAMMERS: “Magalies Air Tours” Is the Latest Name Being Used appeared first on Bill Harrop's "Original" Balloon Safaris.

Members of the public are urged to exercise extreme caution when booking hot air balloon experiences advertised online, particularly through social media.

Specialist investigator Mike Bolhuis has issued an urgent public warning identifying an operation trading as “Hartees Air Adventures” and using the website harteesair.com as a fraudulent booking platform.

According to the public warning issued by Mike Bolhuis, the operation advertises non-existent hot air balloon flights over Hartbeespoort Dam and other locations. Customers are allegedly encouraged to make payments for flights that are never provided.

How the alleged scam operates

The warning describes a convincing online operation designed to appear like a legitimate tourism business.

Potential customers reportedly encounter advertisements for hot air balloon flights on Facebook. Once someone expresses interest, the conversation is moved to WhatsApp, where the booking discussion continues privately.

Customers are then offered heavily discounted “promotional rates” and pressured to make payment quickly before the supposed offer expires. After payment, they may receive professional-looking booking confirmations and detailed flight instructions, creating the impression that a genuine reservation has been secured.

However, the advertised balloon flight does not take place.

The investigation also reports that the same operators may be using the name “Magalies Sky”.

Warning signs to watch for

Consumers should be cautious when encountering:

• Prices that appear considerably lower than established market rates
• Social media advertisements directing all enquiries to WhatsApp
• Pressure to pay immediately to secure a limited promotional offer
• Requests for payment into a personal bank account
• Claims of flights directly over Hartbeespoort Dam
• Conflicting business addresses or contact information
• Operators who cannot provide proof of their aviation credentials
• Websites with no verifiable operating history, physical base or recognised industry accreditation

A polished website, attractive photographs and convincing WhatsApp messages are not proof that an aviation operator is legitimate.

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Verify the operator before making payment

Commercial hot air balloon flights in South Africa are regulated aviation activities. A legitimate operator must hold the appropriate South African Civil Aviation Authority approvals and operate in accordance with applicable aviation requirements.

Before paying for a flight, consumers should:

1. Confirm the operator’s full registered business name.
2. Request proof of its SACAA Air Service Licence and Air Operator Certificate.
3. Verify the operator’s physical location and established operating history.
4. Check that its telephone numbers, email addresses and banking details correspond with the registered business.
5. Look for independent reviews accumulated over a credible period.
6. Contact the operator directly through the details published on its official website.
7. Be wary of anyone creating urgency or discouraging you from verifying the booking.

What to do if you have already paid

Anyone who has made a payment to “Hartees Air Adventures”, “Magalies Sky” or a similar suspected operation should act immediately:

• Contact your bank and report the transaction as fraudulent.
• Ask whether the payment can be stopped, recalled or investigated.
• Open a case with the South African Police Service.
• Preserve all WhatsApp conversations, emails, invoices, payment confirmations and screenshots.
• Report the relevant social media page or advertisement.
• Provide the available information to the investigating authorities.

Do not delete any communication, even if it appears unimportant. Small details such as telephone numbers, account names and timestamps may assist an investigation.

Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris is not associated with this operation

Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris has no connection or association with “Hartees Air Adventures”, harteesair.com or “Magalies Sky”.

Established in 1981, Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris is a licensed commercial hot air balloon operator with an established base in the Magalies River Valley near Skeerpoort.

Official reservations and enquiries should only be made through our recognised contact channels:

Website: www.balloon.co.za
Telephone: +27 83 457 3402
Email: nadia@balloon.co.za

We encourage the public to share this warning and help prevent further financial losses.

This article summarises the public warning published by specialist investigator Mike Bolhuis on 20 July 2026. Readers are encouraged to consult the original report for the complete details.

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to welcoming you on board.

The post Urgent Public Warning: “Hartees Air Adventures” Identified as a Hot Air Balloon Scam appeared first on Bill Harrop's "Original" Balloon Safaris.