A wave of ticket fraud has left Manchester music fans frustrated and out of pocket after paying thousands of pounds for tickets that never arrived. From Oasis gigs at Heaton Park to Billie Eilish concerts at Co-op Live, victims report enduring financial losses and emotional distress.
The Alleged Scam Targets Concert Enthusiasts
According to distressed victims, the scam operation revolved around a seller promising discounted tickets to major Manchester events. Customers, lured by the opportunity to save money, often paid via bank transfer. Initially, some received legitimate tickets, which built trust. However, larger purchases, including tickets for sought-after Oasis gigs, were never fulfilled.
One victim, Ashlea Penty, a single mother of six from Wythenshawe, paid £350 for Billie Eilish tickets for her daughter, only to discover they were fake. “I trusted this person after successful purchases before. Now, I’ll only go through official ticketing platforms,” she said.
How the Seller Operated
The seller, believed to operate from Halifax, used social media and messaging apps to communicate. He provided extensive lists of available tickets for events and accepted payments via bank transfer. While some tickets were transferred through official Ticketmaster accounts initially, later transactions left many out of pocket with no tickets to show for it.
Another victim, a Radcliffe father, is among those scammed out of thousands of pounds. Having successfully purchased tickets for Chris Brown and a darts tournament, he trusted the seller for 29 Oasis tickets. “I believed in him after receiving tickets twice. But with Oasis, the excuses started piling up,” he shared.
Victims Take Action
Frustrated by the lack of refunds and unresponsive communication, victims are now rallying together to seek justice. Ashlea initiated a victim group chat: “It started as five people; now over 100 have joined, each with similar stories of betrayal.” Meanwhile, banks have been slow in recognizing these incidents as fraud, citing them as buyer-seller disputes.
The Manchester Evening News confronted the seller about the allegations. The man, who has not been named for legal reasons, insisted, “People will get their money back. This was a huge issue with Oasis tickets specifically.” However, many victims report having received neither refunds nor communication.
Action Fraud and Expert Advice
Action Fraud estimates over £9.7 million was lost to ticket fraud nationwide in the past year alone, with Oasis fans accounting for over £2 million. They urge concertgoers only to purchase tickets through official platforms, such as Ticketmaster or STAR-accredited agencies. Claire Webb, acting director of Action Fraud, warns, “Requests for payment via bank transfer are a red flag. Always use credit cards when possible.”
The ongoing ticket fraud highlights the importance of vigilance when purchasing concert tickets. Experts encourage fans to verify sellers and avoid transactions outside official channels. If you’ve been scammed, report it to Action Fraud and inform your bank immediately.
Have you been affected by ticket scams? Share your story and stay updated on this developing investigation.
