Football fans warned over ‘ruthless’ scam conning supporters out of £2.5 million

Thousands of people have fallen victim

Finance giant Lloyds Bank has warned that a particular scam is on the rise as the new football season kicks off. Newly-released data, collected by Lloyds, shows that over 2,400 cases of football ticket fraud were reported by its customers alone over the last two seasons.

Lloyds estimates that there have been at least 12,000 victims of the scam nationwide since the start of the 2023 season – with over £2.5 million stolen by con artists. On average, victims lost out around £218 each.

Over three-quarters of football ticket scams begin on social media platforms, primarily targeting fans of Premier League clubs. Supporters of Liverpool are the most likely targets, followed by Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City.

But Stoke City fans aren’t safe from fraudsters – cases have also featured the likes of lower division teams such as Wrexham FC. The most common victims are younger fans, with 28% aged 25 to 34, closely followed by 18-24 year olds (26%).

How do football ticket scams work?

These scams are known as purchase scams, where people are tricked into paying for goods or services that don’t exist. Scammers post fake adverts or listings on social media, offering tickets at discounted prices or for sold-out games.

Victims are asked to pay upfront, usually by bank transfer, but the tickets never arrive, and the fraudster disappears.

The Government has now joined forces with Lloyds to warn supporters as part of its Stop! Think Fraud campaign.

Led by the Home Office and supported by partners across law enforcement, banking, tech, retail and the charity sector, the campaign empowers individuals and small businesses with the tools and knowledge they need to stay ahead of fraud.

Liz Ziegler, fraud prevention director at Lloyds, said: “It’s easy to get swept up in the buzz of a new season – but scammers are banking on that excitement. With demand for tickets often outstripping supply, fraudsters know they can trick fans into paying for tickets that simply don’t exist.

“We’re pleased to join forces with Stop! Think Fraud ahead of the big kick-off to help raise awareness of ticket scams and ensure supporters know how to spot them.

“Social media is the main breeding ground for ticket scams, and it’s time these firms cracked down on the fraudsters lurking on their platforms. The best way to avoid ticket scams is to buy directly from clubs or their official partners, and steer clear of deals that look too good to be true.”

Lord Hanson, minister for Fraud, UK Home Office, said: “Fraud is a ruthless crime that preys on our passions, our trust, and our excitement. As the nation gears up for the new football season, so too do fraudsters, waiting to take advantage of loyal fans searching for tickets. More than three-quarters of football ticket scams last season started on social media, with what seemed like genuine ‘first-come, first-served’ offers all too often designed to rip off desperate fans.

“That’s why we urge all football supporters hunting for tickets to Stop! Think Fraud. Stay alert and only buy directly from the clubs, their official partners and legitimate resale outlets. None of us wants to miss a big game, but that will feel 10 times worse if you’ve also handed hundreds of pounds to a fraudster for a ticket you’ll never see.”

How can fans protect themselves from scams?

Lloyds Bank shared the following three tips to help you avoid falling victim to a ticket scam:

• Take your time: If you’re offered tickets for a highly demanded match, don’t let the fear of missing out make you rush your decision. Take a moment to stop, think, and check if the offer is genuine.
• Stick to official sources: Only buy tickets directly from official Premier League club websites, ticket offices or their authorised partners. Don’t trust deals you see advertised on social media.
• Use a secure payment: Never move away from an official payment platform to make a direct payment via bank transfer or virtual currency. Use the site’s recommended payment methods to stay protected.

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