Social media increasingly used for £5 million fake ticket scams

Music and sports fans lost £5 million to fake ticket scams in 2015 Credit: PA

Nearly half of all ticket fraud scams which cost music and sports fans £5 million last year operated using social media sites.

Councils are now warning social media platforms to be more vigilant after the money lost by fans to the scams rose from £3.35 million in 2014.

Customers who bought fake tickets lost an average of £444 per transaction, with social media sites accounting for nearly half of all reported ploys, the Local Government Association (LGA) said.

Upcoming events expected to be targeted by ticket scammers:

  • Beyonce (Wembley)

  • Rihanna (Wembley)

  • Coldplay (Wembley)

  • Bruce Springsteen (Wembley)

  • Glastonbury

  • Euro 2016

  • Wimbledon

21% of fake ticket scams in 2015 originated on Facebook Credit: PA

The LGA continues to urge people to buy tickets through official channels and not to risk losing money by using other websites, agencies or social media sites.

Simon Blackburn, chairman of the LGA's Safer and Stronger Communities Board, said: "With Euro 2016 starting next month, big-name concerts on the horizon and Glastonbury Festival already sold out, this summer is ripe for criminals to exploit desperate fans willing to do anything to get a ticket to see England play or see their favourite band.

"Social media sites now account for nearly half of all ticket scams and they need to do more to help prevent people being conned paying for tickets on their sites.

"People should be very wary of ticket offers for "sold out" events as these situations are exploited by criminals. Similarly, if the price seems too good to be true, it's likely to be a scam".

If you are concerned that a sale may be fraudulent you are urged to report it to the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06.

Beyonce shows at Wembley are expected to be targeted by scammers Credit: PA