Latest news with #ticketfraud
BBC News
3 days ago
- BBC News
Anger at lack of action on 'Oasis ticket scammer'
A group of Oasis fans who claimed they were scammed out of cash for gig tickets have criticised an initial decision not to refer their complaints to Barker, from Oldham, and 18 other people said they had paid Merseyside man Stephen Cavanagh about £6000 between September last year and this January for tickets for the band's forthcoming Manchester Barker said when she challenged Mr Cavanagh, he denied trying to defraud anyone, but did not return her Barker was originally told by Action Fraud that there were "no viable lines of enquiry," but after the BBC began to investigate the agency referred the case to Merseyside Police, which said it was now looking into it. A BBC investigation has found that in the last year, there have been almost 10,000 reports of ticket fraud with losses totalling £ a leading expert said thousands of cases were not being investigated because police did not have the Barker said she was "extremely disappointed", adding: "It was only after me informing them both that I have escalated it and contacted the BBC that any action was instigated. "There is no deterrent out there for people not to commit this offence." Ms Barker said she had been Facebook friends with Mr Cavanagh, who had supported her after she had weight loss said he told her he had tickets for the Oasis gig in Heaton Park, Manchester, on 16 July, which he did not need because he was going to a friend's Barker, who like tens of thousands of other people had missed out on tickets when they went on sale, said she paid him £1,508 for children's home manager, who was planning to celebrate her 50th birthday at the gig, said: "I couldn't wait. I was beside myself that I could get tickets, and we could all experience it together, because it's probably the last time that they'll ever do a tour."Ms Barker said Mr Cavanagh had sent her what appeared to be a Ticketmaster confirmation saying he had the added: "He said his only condition was that I sent him selfies from the gig, and he even sent me GIFs of the band with the catch line 'All Your Dreams Are Made'."And I thought they were. "But shortly after Christmas, Ms Barker received a message from someone warning "anyone who has bought tickets from [Mr Cavanagh]… it's a scam".She said: "I thought, he can't be. He was a lovely lad, I thought."We had calls and Facetimed and he was so personable.""I just feel so embarrassed and ashamed."The BBC has spoken to 15 people who said they had paid Mr Cavanagh for tickets that never came, including former Emmerdale and Happy Valley actor Jamie Barker said Mr Cavanagh had "made mugs of us all". Mr Dorrington told the BBC he had paid for two tickets for his son's 18th was supposed to be a "special dad and lad night"."I'd missed out in the sale so when the offer came up, I was over the moon," he Cavanagh sent him a voice note at Christmas, saying: "All sorted, - hope you have a good time, just make sure you send us a picture when you're there."In a follow-up email, Mr Cavanagh then said: "Jamie, I've started getting some crazy offers for these tickets. Don't worry, mate, they're yours but I've had someone saying they were going to give me £600 for the tickets."Mr Dorrington said: "I even vouched for him over some Liverpool tickets he was offering, and my mate paid him for them."But he didn't turn up , saying his dad had died."So, I put his name into Facebook and saw he'd done the same to others and it was then I realised I'd been scammed."I just feel terrible, and I still haven't been able to tell my lad he's not going." The BBC approached Mr Cavanagh for comment by email and text message but has had no email to Ms Barker from one of Mr Cavanagh's accounts, sent shortly the BBC contacted him, said he had "already admitted to the police what I've the BBC has not been able to confirm if police have spoken to email added: "I'm not looking to get away with it. If I was a real scammer I wouldn't of [sic] used myself and my own social media."There isn't a lot more I can say but I want to pay everyone back."An email sent to another of his accusers said: "I have a drugs problem. I never did anything like this before and I want to get better. Once again I'm sorry. " 'Follow the money' Reports of ticket fraud are on the rise, and 38% of all ticket fraud claims relate to concerts, according to Action Fraud, which is run by the City of London received 600 fraud complaints relating to Taylor Swift's UK gigs last year, and a Lloyds Bank study suggested 1,000 Oasis fans had lost more than £2m to the people who claimed to have been swindled by Mr Cavanagh said they had made complaints to Action Walker, a ticket fraud expert, said thousands of claims like those against Mr Cavanagh were not being passed on to police for told the BBC: "City of London Police once had some of the country's leading fraud investigators, but police cuts saw so many senior detectives leave."That's left Action Fraud relying on pushing all these reports through algorithms and hoping that the computer says yes when in fact, more often than not, the computer says no - and it doesn't connect the dots."So, cases aren't being forward on to police."It happened years ago with the Beyonce concert - there was something like 209 cases sent to Action Fraud yet less than 20 were sent on for investigation."And that's because they're not looked at manually."How can they say there's no viable line of enquiry when they have a name and bank account details of the suspected scammer - that's an audit trail and a line of enquiry right there. First rule of fraud investigation: follow the money."Yet what's happening is that victims are not getting justice and others are put off reporting fraud because they don't think their case will be looked at." 'Let down' In a letter sent to each of Mr Cavanagh's alleged victims, Action Fraud said the case was sent to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau for review, adding: "It has not been possible to identify a line of enquiry which a law enforcement authority in the UK could pursue."Ms Barker said and others who had given money to Mr Cavanagh said she felt let down by Action Fraud and that the system was not fit for added: "I told them we know this man, so it's not a case of identity fraud. I'm struggling to process how they don't feel they have enough evidence to investigate. This is no deterrent, and, as victims, we don't feel supported by Action Fraud or the police."The BBC put the concerns raised by Ms Barker and Mr Walker to Action Fraud, but said: "Not all reports will be passed onto the police for investigation, but there are a number of other key outcomes which put victims first and prevent fraudsters from targeting more victims. "These include Action Fraud's National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit (NECVCU), which helps victims to reclaim stolen money and provides further practical and emotional support. "It also includes the developing of intelligence to assess the bigger picture of fraudulent activity happening across the UK, and disruptive action to prevent other people from falling victim, such as taking down websites, telephone numbers and email addresses linked to fraud."A Merseyside Police spokeswoman said: "We have received a referral from Action Fraud in relation to an alleged ticket fraud."Enquiries are in the process of being carried out." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, external, X, external, and Instagram, external. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
South China Morning Post
04-06-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Tally of Hong Kong concert ticket scams rises by 40% amid JJ Lin, Jay Chou shows
The number of reported concert ticket scams in Hong Kong has surged by 40 per cent week on week, according to police, with more than 70 cases from the second half of May related to Mandopop stars JJ Lin and Jay Chou's performances at Kai Tak Stadium. Police said on Wednesday that they received 114 reports of concert ticket scams for the week starting on May 24, compared with the 80 recorded for the week before. The amount of money involved in the cases over the two-week period was more than HK$1.6 million (US$203,900), the force added. In a post on the CyberDefender's social media page, the force said 37 people came forward over the past two weeks after falling victim to scams offering bogus tickets to Singaporean singer JJ Lin's concerts at the stadium on May 24 and 25. Another 23 people approached the force after attempting to buy tickets to Taiwanese performer Jay Chou's shows at the same venue, which will take place from June 27 to 29. Police have said scammers are taking advantage of the high demand and limited supply of tickets for popular concerts. Photo: Elson Li Seventeen people also reported falling victim to bogus ticket sellers for local singer and actor Raymond Lam Fung's concerts at the Hong Kong Coliseum from May 22 to 28.
The Sun
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Brits face losing £100million in ticket scams this summer if resale price caps are introduced, experts warn
BRITS could be ripped off by £100million in ticket scams this summer alone if price caps are introduced on ticketing resale – as fraudsters target the biggest events of the year, experts have warned. Figures from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, Action Fraud and the National Crime Agency revealed ticket fraud across England and Wales cost £70million in 2024. 3 But this year, the figure could rocket to £280million, with potentially more than a third of scams expected to hit in the next few months– £100million – if price caps are imposed as excitement builds around Glastonbury, Wimbledon, and the long-awaited Oasis tour. The findings come from Bradshaw Advisory and independent research from anti-fraud organisation We Fight Fraud, which says scams are likely to quadruple, should price caps be put in place driving consumers to unregulated platforms and risky social media sites. It follows data from Revolut which showed ticket scams soared by 40 per cent ahead of Taylor Swift's London gigs last August. Experts say the UK Government's proposal to cap resale prices could end up playing straight into the hands of scammers – making it easier for fraud to flourish as desperate fans turn to riskier means of securing tickets. Dave Eborne, head of fraud operations at Revolut, said: "We know that highly anticipated events, like concerts and sports matches, can become a target for unscrupulous criminals preying on enthusiastic fans. 'Especially with sought-after tickets, fraudsters leverage both the fear of missing out on a unique opportunity and a sense of urgency due to scarcity and high demand. 'The idea that a potential ticket could disappear quickly encourages people to act fast without thinking – but it's vital that consumers look for tell-tale warning signs before handing over their hard-earned cash. 'As We Fight Fraud's research shows, banning or capping resale doesn't stop these scams; it simply provides another platform for them to thrive, costing fans and the wider economy through increased fraud." The research points to data from Ireland and Victoria, Australia - two regions that have introduced caps and seen significant increase in reports of ticket fraud. The Bradshaw Advisory identified in Ireland, where price caps exist, 13.6 per cent of fans reported being scammed - more than three times the UK's 3.8 per cent rate. And there could be a wider impact as well, as since October 2024, UK banks have been required to reimburse victims of Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud, which includes most ticket scams. Dr Nicola Harding, from We Fight Fraud, said: 'Price caps don't stop fraud - they multiply it and we could see live event fans defrauded to the tune of £100 million this summer. "Smart, transparent regulation of the resale market, and robust consumer education on the warning signs of ticket scams, are the only real solutions to protect fans." TOP TIPS TO AVOID AND SPOT A TICKET SCAM Do your homework: Purchase tickets only through a legitimate and regulated platform. If you are unsure of a website's legitimacy, you can check it by using Get Safe Online's Check a Website tool Cover yourself: Ensure platforms offer fan protection with a guarantee should anything go wrong. Resist the hard sell and social media: Getting in-demand tickets can feel like a race against time but don't let individual sellers pressure you into a quick purchase. Avoid buying tickets on social media where many sellers are unverified, increasing the risk of scams or counterfeit tickets. Verify the venue and date: If the event is taking place at a venue unknown to you, then confirm its existence through online maps and look for independent reviews. Once you have done so, search the original live event announcement or schedule on the artist or team's website to make sure dates and location align. Price check reality: If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Avoid suspiciously cheap tickets. 3
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Scam Summer: Experts Warn Price Caps May Fuel £100 Million in Ticket Fraud
Ticket fraud already costs consumers £70 million a year If price caps are introduced, experts predict an explosion in fraud, to the tune of £100 million in a single "summer of scams" We Fight Fraud and Revolut warn that Government's proposed resale caps risk handing fans money over to criminal networks Premier League sting exposes black market in fake tickets, mule accounts and "name change" fees - as experts warn: introducing price caps will be a scammer's dream LONDON, June 02, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With the UK heading into its biggest summer of live events in years, experts are warning that the Government's plans to cap the resale price of tickets could backfire - dramatically increasing fraud, pushing fans into the hands of scammers and triggering a financial backlash for both banks and consumers. While the move to strengthen regulation is welcome, the proposal to restrict the price of resold tickets is raising serious concerns. In response to the Government's recent consultation on ticket resale regulation, which includes proposals to restrict the price of resold tickets, We Fight Fraud (WFF) - supported by one of the UK's leading fintechs, Revolut - is sounding the alarm: price caps won't protect fans - they'll expose them. Data from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, Action Fraud and the National Crime Agency shows that the cost of reported ticket fraud for England and Wales was £70 million last year. Yet this pales into insignificance with how much consumers would lose in the event of a mooted price cap being introduced. New figures from Bradshaw Advisory, backed by independent research from We Fight Fraud, suggest that number would quadruple as ticket resales migrate from the regulated secondary market to social media. This would mean consumers being hit in the pocket to the tune of £280 million a year – with £100 million of that falling in the peak summer months alone. Dr Nicola Harding, CEO of We Fight Fraud, a specialist unit made up of ex-police, intelligence officers, cyber experts, and financial crime investigators, said: "Capping resale prices may sound fan-friendly - but in practice, it pushes buyers into unregulated, risky spaces where criminals operate freely. We've tested this market. We've seen what happens. Price caps don't stop fraud - they multiply it and we could see live event fans defrauded to the tune of £100 million this summer." As part of its investigation, We Fight Fraud conducted a covert ticket-buying operation at a Premier League match in March between Liverpool and Southampton. The results were stark: Three out of four tickets purchased via social media in test cases were either fake or never arrived. Two out of five tickets were outright scams. Two others were obtained illegally via hijacked memberships. Buyers were asked to pay bogus "name change" fees and transfer money to money mule accounts. All scams were orchestrated via social media platforms and encrypted messaging apps. "These aren't opportunistic chancers," said Harding. "They're organised criminal networks exploiting fans who've been shut out of safe, legitimate resale routes. "The more you limit legitimate access, the more you push desperate fans into the shadows - and that's exactly where scammers lie in wait." While We Fight Fraud's research* focused on the UK, international data tells a worrying story. In Ireland and Victoria, Australia - where ticket resale caps are in place - fraud has surged. Bradshaw Advisory's research found that in Ireland, 13.6% of fans reported being scammed, over three times the UK's 3.8% rate. Independent research shows fraud has risen in step with these restrictions. Since October 2024, UK banks have been required to reimburse victims of Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud, which includes most ticket scams. With resale restrictions forcing more buyers onto risky channels, the financial burden is now spreading from fans to banks - and eventually to the wider economy. Revolut saw ticket scams increase by 40% in the run-up to Taylor Swift concerts in London in August 2024. "We know that highly anticipated events, like concerts and sports matches, can become a target for unscrupulous criminals preying on enthusiastic fans," said Dave Eborne, Head of Fraud Operations at Revolut. "Especially with sought-after tickets, fraudsters leverage both the fear of missing out on a unique opportunity and a sense of urgency due to scarcity and high demand. The idea that a potential ticket could disappear quickly encourages people to act fast without thinking – but it's vital that consumers look for tell-tale warning signs before handing over their hard-earned cash. As Dr. Harding's research shows, banning or capping resale doesn't stop these scams; it simply provides another platform for them to thrive, costing fans and the wider economy through increased fraud. Smart, transparent regulation of the resale market, and robust consumer education on the warning signs of ticket scams, are the only real solutions to protect fans." For further information please contact contact@ or call us on +44(0)20 3633 0996 NOTES TO EDITORS About Revolut: Revolut is one of the UK's leading fintechs, helping people get more from their money. In 2015, Revolut launched in the UK offering money transfer and exchange. Today, more than 50 million customers around the world use dozens of Revolut's innovative products to make more than half a billion transactions a month. Across our personal and business accounts, we give customers more control over their finances and connect people seamlessly across the world. We Fight Fraud ( is a testing and research consultancy that specialises in identifying vulnerabilities related to financial crime. The independent research by WFF was commissioned by viagogo. Reinforcing We Fight Fraud's findings, Lloyds Bank recently issued a warning following a surge in scams linked to Oasis reunion tickets. Their analysis revealed that over two-thirds of all ticket scams now originate on social media, with Facebook responsible for 90% of those cases. Victims lost an average of £436, contributing to an estimated £2 million in total ticket scam losses over the past year. The scams typically involved convincing but fake listings, pressure to act quickly, and bogus charges like "admin" or "name change" fees - tactics that mirror those uncovered in We Fight Fraud's own investigations. REPORTING FRAUD: If you suspect fraud, report it to your bank and to Action Fraud at or if you prefer, on 0300 123 2040. If you're in Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101. About the data: Action fraud data from the NFIB dashboard shows the cost of ticket fraud for England and Wales is around £9.8m across the last 12 months. When you factor in that 86% of fraud goes unreported (Action Fraud and National Crime Agency), the more realistic figure is likely to be £70m across the last 12 months. If we regulate that with price caps, that figure will balloon to £280m (based on Bradshaw advisory research that shows level of fraud in markets with price caps is four times that of the UK). WFF's research at a Premier League football match investigation shows three in four tickets purchased were scams. View source version on Contacts contact@ +44(0)20 3633 0996
