Aspiring digital marketers lured by social media promises of effortless wealth in the travel industry are discovering that the reality falls far short of the hype. Before appearing on the reality television show Love Island, 23-year-old content creator Yasmin Hadlow told her online followers they could “catch flights and get paid mid-air.” Her call to action was simple: send a direct message containing the word “freedom.”
Hadlow is one of several public figures promoting PlanNet Marketing, a company that recruits independent travel agents while partnering with a distinct United States-based entity known as InteleTravel. Among those involved in the promotion is Vicky Pattison, a former star of the reality series Geordie Shore.
Critics and former participants have raised alarms regarding the financial viability of the scheme. Many who followed the influencers’ advice reported earning little to no money, citing high fees and unrealistic expectations as primary barriers. The contrast between the glamorous lifestyle portrayed in marketing videos and the actual earnings has sparked controversy, with detractors labeling the opportunity as a misleading hustle rather than a legitimate career path.
Classic influencer hustle. They profit from selling the dream while ordinary people lose their savings. Thanks for the warning, though.
Yasmin Hadlow made it sound so easy. Disappointed she didn’t mention the massive upfront costs before promising ‘freedom’.
I sent the DM and paid the fee, only to realize I’d never break even. This feels dangerously close to a pyramid scheme.