A sophisticated-looking website, whitelotusipo.com, appeared online, announcing an Initial Public Offering (IPO) for the notorious, and decidedly fictional, luxury hotel chain featured in the show.

Mimicking the aesthetic and aspirational language associated with the series, the site invited visitors to invest in the “unforgettable experiences” offered by the White Lotus resorts. It presented a seemingly plausible opportunity to buy into the world of high-end, drama-filled hospitality depicted on screen.

However, as confirmed by finance and investing advice company The Motley Fool, the entire setup was an elaborate April Fool’s Day prank orchestrated by them. The prank website, which reportedly attracted significant attention, deliberately included red flags such as site bugs, wildly fluctuating prices, and a non-functional countdown timer, designed to mimic the tactics seen in online investment scams.

In a blog post confirming the prank, The Motley Fool noted: “Visitors encountered a bug-ridden site with a countdown timer that made it impossible to claim the promised ‘129 FREE shares’. (The damn button doesn’t work!)

“Those who tried to invest faced wildly fluctuating prices ranging from $4.62 to $85 per share. And the system always locked them into the highest possible purchase price.”

The Motley Fool revealed that the exercise was intended to serve as an educational moment, highlighting the importance of being sceptical of investment opportunities that seem too good to be true, particularly those promising guaranteed returns or relying heavily on the allure of a popular brand.