STORY
Fraudsters have stolen over £16 million from music fans in the past year, exploiting the demand for tickets to sold-out concerts by artists like Taylor Swift, Coldplay and Beyoncé. The Home Office and Action Fraud have issued a warning urging the public to take extra care when buying event tickets online, as reports of scams have surged dramatically.
According to data released this week, more than 8,700 people reported falling victim to ticket fraud between May 2023 and May 2024, with the average loss per person coming in at a steep £350. Many victims believed they were purchasing legitimate tickets through unofficial channels, only to be left empty-handed at the gates. The government campaign, launched in conjunction with UK Finance and the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR), is promoting three key rules: always buy from trusted, authorised ticket sellers; beware of deals that seem too good to be true; and take your time before parting with personal or payment details.
Security Minister Tom Tugendhat called the scams “heartless crimes” and emphasised that “we want every music fan to enjoy the experience of seeing their favourite artists live, without being duped by scammers.” Criminals have used increasingly sophisticated methods to target victims, including fake websites that closely mimic official sellers, fraudulent social media accounts, and online marketplaces. In some cases, entire groups of fans were tricked into buying non-existent tickets for the same event, only realising they’d been scammed upon arrival.