Police warn online shoppers about ticket scam

ONLINE shoppers are being warned by police about a ticket fraud scam taking place in South Yorkshire and urged to remember “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

Several residents have fallen victim to the scam after buying tickets to popular and sold-out events online which turned out to be fake, according to data from Action Fraud.

Det Con Gary Henshaw, from South Yorkshire Police’s fraud coordination team, said: “We know that many people are buying tickets online at the moment for Christmas presents and some can be expensive, so we encourage people to take extra care when making purchases.”

In the scam, the victim buys flight tickets or tickets to events including festivals or football matches, through a website or via social media which they believe to be legitimate.

The victim makes advance payment for the tickets, and it’s only when they either do not arrive or turn out to be fake that they realise they’ve been conned.

Det Con Henshaw added: “To avoid disappointment, only buy tickets from the venue directly, through an official agent, or via a well-known and reputable ticket website.

“Don’t be fooled by offers on secondary ticketing websites or social media, as this is often where criminals will advertise fake tickets to popular and sold-out events.

“Remember, if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

If you think you have been a victim of ticket fraud, contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or report it online at www.actionfraud.police.uk.