UK sports fans have fallen victim to an alarming rise in ticket scams, with almost a quarter of a million pounds lost between January and September 2024.
Santander Bank has reported a total loss of £243,000 across the UK, with football-related scams accounting for over half of all ticket fraud cases.
Chris Ainsley, Head of Fraud Risk Management at Santander, commented on the growing issue: “Scammers know how to exploit the excitement around big games. Don’t let them score at your expense.
A quick check could be the difference between cheering in the stands or being left on the bench, out of pocket and out of luck.”
Football fans were the hardest hit, losing over £127,000 in total. Among the victims, young men aged 19 to 34 represented 41% of those targeted, with a combined loss of £80,491.
On average, each individual lost £352 to a ticket scam, a sharp increase from last year’s £225.
In addition to football, fans of other sports were also targeted. Motorsports enthusiasts faced the highest average loss, with victims losing £3,851 each.
Scams related to motocross events reached a total of £50,070. Golf fans also fell prey to fraud, losing £51,685 with an average loss of £860 per victim.
Santander advises sports fans to exercise caution when buying tickets online and to avoid using bank transfers.
Many of these scams begin with fake tickets listed on fraudulent websites or advertised on social media.
Earlier this year, two men were sentenced for scamming Liverpool fans out of thousands of pounds for the 2022 UEFA Champions League final.
One victim paid £8,500 for “Category One” tickets, while two others paid £2,500 for two tickets each. None of the victims received tickets or refunds.
As ticket fraud continues to rise, fans are urged to stay vigilant and take extra precautions when purchasing tickets online to avoid becoming the next victim.
