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TICKET FRAUD ACROSS ENGLAND AND WALES HAS COST BRITS £70 MILLION IN 2024, AND EXPERTS WARN THAT THIS YEAR THE FIGURE COULD ROCKET TO £280 MILLION OLIVER LEWIS 13:22, 02 Jun 2025Updated
10:22, 03 Jun 2025 Experts have issued a stark warning that Brits could fall victim to ticket scams totalling £100million this summer alone, should price caps be implemented on ticket
resales. Data from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, Action Fraud and the National Crime Agency has disclosed that ticket fraud across England and Wales amounted to a staggering
£70million in 2024. This year, the sum could skyrocket to £280million, fuelled by anticipation for events like Glastonbury, Wimbledon, and the eagerly awaited Oasis tour. Over a third of
these scams, amounting to £100million, are predicted to occur in the upcoming months if price caps are enforced. The data is courtesy of Bradshaw Advisory and independent research from
anti-fraud organisation We Fight Fraud. They warn that scams could quadruple if price caps are introduced, pushing consumers towards unregulated platforms and risky social media sites. Dave
Eborne, head of fraud operations at Revolut, commented: "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," he added. Article continues below "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 study highlights data from Ireland and Victoria,
Australia - two regions that have implemented price caps and subsequently experienced a significant surge in ticket fraud reports. According to the Bradshaw Advisory, in Ireland where price
caps are in place, 13.6% of fans reported being duped - a figure more than triple the UK's rate of 3.8%. There could also be broader implications as, since October 2024, UK banks have
been obligated to compensate victims of Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud, which encompasses 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. Article continues
below 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.