Latest news with #LizZiegler
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Rangers and Celtic fans warned over online ticket scams as fraudsters target clubs
The Glasgow giants are among the UK clubs most targeted by fraudsters who market non-existent briefs for sale on social media. Rangers and Celtic fans have been warned to look out for ticketing scams this season as new data reveals an estimated £2.5 million has been lost to football ticket fraud over the past two years. The Glasgow giants are among the UK clubs most targeted by fraudsters who market non-existent briefs for sale on social media sites such as Facebook and X. More than 2,400 cases of football ticket fraud were reported by Lloyds customers over the past two seasons, with total losses topping £500,000. The bank estimates there are likely to have been at least 12,000 victims across the UK since the start of the 2023/24 season, with over £2.5 million stolen by fraudsters. The UK Government has now joined forces with Lloyds to issue a warning to supporters as part of its Stop! Think Fraud campaign. Led by the Home Office, the campaign aims to better inform supporters and small businesses about the risks of buying dodgy briefs. Supporters of Liverpool are most likely to be targeted by fraudsters, followed by fans of Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City. But cases have also involved fans of Celtic and Rangers, while Wrexham featured in the data after racing back to the second tier of the English football pyramid for the first time in more than 40 years. Fans aged 25–34 were the most common victims, making up 28 per cent of all cases, closely followed by 18-24 year olds. More than three-quarters of football ticket fraud cases last season started on social media, underlining the need for tech firms to do more to stop the fraudsters operating on their platforms. Fraudsters typically try purchase scams where people are tricked into paying for goods or services that don't exist. This involves scammers posting fake adverts or listings on social media, offering tickets at discounted prices or for sold-out games. Victims are then asked to pay upfront – usually by bank transfer – but the tickets never arrive and the fraudster disappears. Anti-fraud experts are urging fans to stick to official sources and only buy tickets directly from official club websites, ticket offices or their authorised partners. Deals advertised on social media should not be trusted. Liz Ziegler, Lloyds fraud prevention director, 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. "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." David Hanson, minister for fraud at the Home Office, said: "As the nation gears up for the new football season, so too do fraudsters, waiting to take advantage of loyal fans searching for tickets. "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 want to miss a big game, but that will feel ten times worse if you've also handed hundreds of pounds to a fraudster for a ticket you'll never see."
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Premier League ticket warning as thousands of fans conned out of £2.5million
Startling figures released by Lloyds and the Home Office reveal that fraud victims coughed up an average of £218 for tickets that did not exist last season Football fans have been conned out of more than £2.5million for fake tickets in the past two seasons, with scammers using social media to trick supporters. Alarming figures show victims coughed up an average of £218 for tickets that did not exist last year, with Liverpool supporters most likely to be targeted. It is estimated that 12,000 people have been defrauded since the start of the 2023/24 season. Con artists flooded social media with fake tickets to see Premier League giants Arsenal, Man Utd, Chelsea and Manchester City, as well as newly promoted Championside side Wrexham, new data shows. Home Office minister Lord Hanson told The Mirror the figures were "shocking". More than 2,400 cases of football ticket fraud were reported by Lloyds banking customers in two years, with total losses topping £500,000. The bank estimates that nationally there will have been 12,000 cases, with unsuspecting fans coughing up £2.5million. Three quarters of the scams start on social media, the Home Office said. Liz Ziegler, fraud prevention director at Lloyds, said while fans are looking forward to the new Premier League season, scammers are "banking on that excitement". She said: "With demand for tickets often outstripping supply, fraudsters know they can trick fans into paying for tickets that simply don't exist." And warning sport lovers to steer clear of deals that "look too good to be true" she said: '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." Analysis found supporters aged from 25 to 34 are the most common victims, making up 28% of all cases. They were closely followed by 18 to 24 year olds. Lloyds is working with the Home Office on its Stop! Think Fraud project, aimed at stopping people falling victim to scammers. The Premier League urges supporters to buy tickets directly from clubs. Several clubs employ staff dedicated to tackling ticket fraud, who will often buy tickets from unauthorised sellers to identify the source of resold tickets. From season 2026/27 the Premier League will require a minimum of 70% of tickets to be digital. It says this will give additional security. Lord Hanson 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."
Western Telegraph
25-04-2025
- Western Telegraph
More than £2m lost by Oasis fans to ticket scams
Looking at the volume of fraud reports made by its own customers, the Lloyds group was able to work out the amount of money lost by fans of the popular Brit Pop group. It has been claimed that over half (56%) of all reported concert cons have been from Oasis fans, with customers losing around £436 on average. The biggest amount lost by a fan was more than £1700, suggesting that many are willing to pay high amounts to secure tickets for the historic reunion tour. Oasis announced a reunion tour last year (Image: PA Wire) Brits told to 'remain vigilant' after Oasis fans lose more than £2m to ticket scams The banking group estimates that across the UK, there are likely to have been at least 5000 victims since tickets went on sale, with more than £2 million being lost to fraudsters. This analysis was based on concert ticket purchase scams reported by Lloyds Banking Group customers, including those who have an account with Lloyds Bank, Halifax and the Bank of Scotland. Liz Ziegler, fraud prevention director at Lloyds, said: 'The Oasis tour is the latest target for ticket scammers, with millions of pounds of fans' money stolen before the gigs even kick off. 'The fact that so many cases start with fake listings on social media, often in violation of the platforms' own rules, underscores the importance of these companies taking stronger action to tackle scams. 'It's vital that consumers feel empowered to shop safely online. Buying directly from reputable, authorised retailers is the only way to guarantee you're paying for a genuine ticket. 'If you're asked to pay via bank transfer, particularly by a seller you've found on social media, that should immediately set alarm bells ringing.' Lisa Webb, a consumer law expert at Which? added: 'Scammers are always looking for new ways to part people from their hard-earned cash and unfortunately, Oasis tickets being in such high demand has created a perfect storm for criminals.' Consumers have been told to 'remain vigilant' over ticket sale scams (Image: Getty Images) Recommended Reading: She said: 'If you spot any suspicious posts, you can report them to the social media platform and the National Cyber Security Centre to investigate." Guy Anker, personal finance expert at Compare the Market, warned: 'With big-name tours generating huge demand, it's important to remain vigilant to potential scams. When tickets are hard to come by, it can be tempting to buy from unofficial sources, but this often leads to disappointment and can cause significant financial loss. 'To help protect yourself, always try to book through trusted platforms, and consider using a credit card, which can sometimes offer extra protection under Section 75 if something goes wrong.'
Express Tribune
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Oasis fans scammed out of £2 Million in fake ticket fiasco ahead of reunion tour
Thousands of Oasis fans have fallen victim to a rising wave of fake ticket scams on social media, just as the Britpop legends gear up for their long-awaited UK tour—marking their first live shows together since 2009. UK lender Lloyds has confirmed the fraud surge, stating, 'Fans of Oasis are being targeted by a surge of ticket scams on social media, as the... rock icons prepare to tour the UK this summer for the first time since 2009.' The reunion follows the highly-publicised end to the Gallaghers' 15-year feud, announced last August. The band's comeback tour will open on 4 July in Cardiff, with a follow-up show in Manchester, their hometown. The global tour also includes major cities like Buenos Aires, Chicago, London, Sydney, Tokyo and Toronto. Lloyds warns fans to be especially cautious as 'scams often occur in two waves: the first when tickets are released for sale, and again as the event date approaches.' The bank estimates, based on its customer data, that at least 5,000 people across the UK have been scammed since tickets went on sale, with more than £2 million lost. That works out to an average loss of £436 per person. It further revealed that 'more than 90 percent of reported cases start with fake adverts, posts or listings on Meta-owned platforms, with the vast majority on Facebook.' Liz Ziegler, the bank's fraud prevention director, called on platforms to do more: 'stronger action to tackle scams' is urgently needed, especially when these scams 'largely breach their own rules.' Meta has yet to respond publicly. Adding to fans' frustrations, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority announced last month that some concertgoers may have unknowingly paid for 'platinum' tickets which offered no real benefit. This led to an investigation into Ticketmaster, which faced backlash for high prices during Oasis' ticket rollout. The platform has reportedly sold over 900,000 tickets for the upcoming shows.
Daily Mirror
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Have you been the victim of an Oasis ticket scam? Tell us your story
As demand for Oasis reunion tickets continues to soar, Lloyds Bank has estimated that around 5,000 people have been scammed while trying to see the Wonderwall band live - and we want to hear your story Fraudsters have scammed Oasis fans out of more than £2million amid the soaring demand for reunion tour tickets - and we want to know if you have been targeted. Since the sold-out tour was announced last August, Lloyds Bank estimates that at least 5,000 people have been conned for tickets. According to the bank's fraud reports - made by its own customers - Oasis fans have made up 56 percent of all reported concert ticket scams so far this year, with victims losing an average of £436 each. One fan of the Wonderwall band lost more than £1,700 in a single case, highlighting just how much some are willing to pay to see their idols perform live. On average, victims have been losing around £200 more to fake Oasis ticket sellers than in standard concert ticket scams, with those aged 35 to 44 making up nearly a third (30%) of all cases. The highest number of scam victims have been based in Edinburgh, Warrington and Manchester, with the top 10 locations overall making up a quarter of cases, Lloyds said. If you've been the victim of a ticket scam, tell us your story in the comments section below and vote in our poll HERE. Since last summer, there have been more than 1,000 cases reported to the bank, which estimates at least 5,000 victims across the UK. The analysis covered concert ticket scams reported by customers of Lloyds Bank, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland between August 2024 and March 2025, where Oasis was referenced as part of the claim. In most cases, ticket scams involve fake adverts, posts or listings on social media, offering tickets at discounted prices, or access to events that have already sold out at inflated prices. These scams usually take place in two waves - the first when tickets are released for sale, and again as the event date approaches. Scammers often encourage victims to pay for the ticket upfront and then vanish after receiving the money, leaving the buyer empty-handed. Liz Ziegler, fraud prevention director at Lloyds, said: 'The Oasis tour is the latest target for ticket scammers, with millions of pounds of fans' money stolen before the gigs even kick off. 'The fact that so many cases start with fake listings on social media, often in violation of the platforms' own rules, underscores the importance of these companies taking stronger action to tackle scams. It's vital that consumers feel empowered to shop safely online. 'Buying directly from reputable, authorised retailers is the only way to guarantee you're paying for a genuine ticket. If you're asked to pay via bank transfer, particularly by a seller you've found on social media, that should immediately set alarm bells ringing.' Get Oasis updates straight to your WhatsApp! As the hotly anticipated Oasis reunion tour grows closer, the Mirror has launched its very own Oasis WhatsApp community where you'll get all the latest news on the Gallagher brothers and all the information you'll need in the run up to the gigs. We'll send you the latest breaking updates and exclusives all directly to your phone. Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in. All you have to do to join is click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! We may also send you stories from other titles across the Reach group. We will also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Lisa Webb, a consumer law expert at Which? added: 'Scammers are always looking for new ways to part people from their hard-earned cash and, unfortunately, Oasis tickets being in such high demand has created a perfect storm for criminals.' As criminals continue to target music lovers, we want to know if you have been a victim of an Oasis ticket scam? Tell us your story in the comments section below and vote in our poll HERE.
