Fraud happens everywhere, but did we expect it to happen in the well-loved wizarding world? In the book series Gilderoy Lockhart, the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry during Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, book two of the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, became especially fond of the Memory Charm which he used to erase people’s memories after gaining knowledge of the highest achievements they have accomplished. He then wrote best selling books based on the stolen achievements. If fraud depicted in the books and movies were not enough there are several instances of fraud that happened around the franchise in the real world:
- A film extra on the set of the Harry Potter films (Deirdre Irwin) was jailed for claiming £50,000 in benefits by using her given name for work, and former married name for claims.
- Fraudsters selling fake Harry Potter DVD’s during the holidays to unsuspecting fans.
- A former personal assistant to JK Rowling fraudulently used the author’s credit card and was ordered to pay almost £18,734 plus interest – according to BBC News.
It seems even the wonderful wizarding world is not safe from identity theft and fraudsters!
*International Harry Potter Day is celebrated based on the Battle of Hogwarts in the Harry Potter book series. According to the books this battle took place on May 2, 1998. During this time (he-who-must -not-be-named) was defeated. International Harry Potter Day is the anniversary of this battle and the day we mark the significance of the J.K. Rowling works.