Supporters hoping to represent the Brisbane Broncos on game day are being urged to stay alert after scammers allegedly targeted fans with fake mascot audition opportunities on Facebook.
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The NRL club has warned the public about fraudulent social media accounts posing as official Broncos pages and offering people the chance to audition as one of the club’s mascots in exchange for payment. The scam has reportedly left some supporters out of pocket after they transferred money believing they were applying for a legitimate opportunity.
In a statement, the Broncos said the fake auditions had no connection to the club and stressed that it would never ask people to pay to audition for mascot roles or other unsolicited opportunities promoted through social media or private messages.
The club also encouraged supporters to avoid engaging with suspicious accounts, never share personal or financial information, and rely only on its verified website and official social media channels for official communications. The Queensland Police Service is aware of the matter.
The scam involves one of the Broncos’ best-known game-day attractions. Alongside Buck, the horse that appears at Broncos home games, the club also has a costumed mascot. According to reports received by the club, scammers convinced hopeful applicants they could secure an audition by paying a fee. Instead, those supporters reportedly lost money without receiving any genuine opportunity.
The incident is not the first time the Broncos have warned supporters about fraudulent activity linked to the club.
Last year, the Broncos alerted fans after counterfeit versions of the club’s popular all-black mental health jersey began appearing online. The fake jerseys emerged after the limited-edition design sold out quickly, with unofficial sellers attempting to capitalise on the strong demand.
The club’s mascots have also attracted attention for reasons unrelated to scams. Last year, animal rights organisation PETA called on the Broncos to retire Buck and adopt a different identity. The proposal was met with strong opposition from many supporters, and the Broncos confirmed they had no plans to retire the long-serving horse.
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With the latest scam now under investigation, the Broncos are reminding supporters that official opportunities will only be promoted through the club’s verified website and official social media channels, and that the club does not charge people to audition for mascot roles.
Published 26-June-2026
