Man jailed after making thousands scamming fans with fake Champions League tickets
A man who made made more than £40,000 selling fake Champions League tickets has been jailed.
Lee Waldron, 41, sold the counterfeit PDF tickets to fans desperate to see Liverpool FC take on Real Madrid in the 2022 Champions League final in Paris.
But they were then left devastated when they discovered their tickets did not work, and were instead fake.
Waldron, from Kirkby, Merseyside, was arrested after detectives from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) investigated reports made to Action Fraud by victims who had attempted to buy tickets for the big match.
Officers then examined bank transactions between the victims and suspects and found that Waldron had received more than £40,000 from victims.
Waldron was jailed for 21 months at Liverpool Crown Court after being found guilty at trial for acquiring/using/possessing criminal property.
His associate, David Windsor, pleaded guilty to fraud offences in March 2024 and was also jailed for 21 months.
Detective Chief Inspector Chris Maddocks from the NWROCU's Economic Crime Unit said: "The impact on the victims in this case has been significant, and it highlights the importance of purchasing tickets from reputable sources."We will continue to pursue those who seek to exploit fans for their own financial gain, and we're committed to bringing offenders like Waldron to justice."
He urged the public to be "vigilant", and follow steps when buying tickets by:
Research the sites you are buying from and read reviews from trusted sources
Be wary if someone offers to meet you outside the venue to sell tickets, as this is often a scam.
Check website URLs for subtle changes that could indicate they are fraudulent.
Use secure payment methods recommended by reputable online retailers and be cautious of requests to pay by bank transfer.
If possible, use a credit card for purchases over £100 and up to £30,000, as you receive protection under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.
Book tickets through official sellers who are members of the self-regulatory body Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR), as anything else could be a scam."
If you fall victim to ticket fraud, report it online at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040. If you have information about someone involved in ticket fraud, contact Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111.