With Oasis set to launch their highly anticipated Live 25 reunion tour on 4th July at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, millions of fans who missed out on the initial ticket sale in August 2024 are turning to second-hand sources. This has prompted warnings from cyber security professionals as ticket scams continue to climb. Action Fraud reported £1.6 million lost to concert ticket fraud in 2024, more than double the figure from 2023. The total is expected to rise further in 2025 due to high-demand events such as the Oasis tour, which saw 14 million people compete for 1.4 million tickets.
Sarah Knowles, a cyber security expert at Shift Key Cyber, explains how scammers are taking advantage of fans’ eagerness. “Bots on social media sites including X are fake profiles that are controlled via the X API. In simple terms, this means the software autonomously performs actions such as posting, reposting, liking, following, unfollowing or direct messaging other accounts. In the case of concert and event tickets, the bots will share a post claiming they have a ticket for sale, or will reply to anyone who has shared a post about looking for tickets. A bot account will usually be following a large number of people but have very few followers. They may also have an AI-generated profile photo, or the profile location may be in a different country from the event in question. If you are looking for second-hand tickets on X, be very mindful of bots and do not give any of your personal information or send across payment unless you are 100% sure the account is genuine.” Posts from Oasis and Twickets on X have also urged fans to avoid fraudulent sellers.
Knowles highlights that scammers often target Facebook fan groups by using similar tactics. “Dedicated event groups or fan groups of the performing artist are also a key target for scammers. Watch out for bots responding to any posts about buying or selling tickets using the same method.” Lloyds Bank reported that 56% of concert ticket scams in 2024 involved Oasis, with social media platforms like Facebook being prime hunting grounds for fraudsters.
Another scam involves fake resale social media accounts and websites. “The safest way to buy a second-hand ticket is through a face-value ticket resale platform like Twickets or the Ticketmaster resale page. These sites have a guarantee in place to protect buyers if tickets are not as described or are invalid. Sellers are also protected if a buyer claims they did not receive the tickets. But fraudsters are now creating social media profiles and even websites that mimic the pages of resale like Twickets in an attempt to trick buyers. It is vital that you stop and think before making a purchase and research the website you are buying from. Make sure it is an official resale partner by referring to the official event website.” Twickets, the official resale partner for Oasis, caps prices at face value.
Although less common now, scams can still occur on platforms like Vinted and eBay. “If you see a seller offering tickets to an event for way more than face value or asking for buyers to bid for the highest price, stay away.” Action Fraud data shows that inflated prices on such platforms are a warning sign.
Knowles describes common signs that someone has been scammed. “There are some telltale signs that you have been a victim of a ticket scam. Being asked to send money via bank transfer. Reputable ticket vendors will never ask for payment via personal bank transfer. You should also not be asked to make a payment until you have proof that the tickets have been sent or until you have met in person to exchange the tickets. Non-delivery. The tickets you purchased are then not sent or appear to be delayed in the post. Failed or second payments. Be wary of error messages claiming your first payment failed and asking for a second one. You are being pressured into making a purchase quickly. If the seller is pressuring you to buy the tickets immediately this is a huge red flag as they are clearly trying to get hold of your money as quickly as possible. Communication issues after payment. If you hear nothing from the seller as soon as you have made a payment it is likely you have been scammed.”
Knowles urges those affected to act fast. “If you think you have been a victim of a ticket scam report it to Action Fraud or your local police immediately. It is important to always use your credit card when buying event tickets as you are then protected by your bank and they should be able to recover the funds for you.” Action Fraud received 3,700 ticket fraud reports in 2024, with nearly half linked to social media offers.
Fans are reminded to use official platforms like Ticketmaster and Twickets, to verify sellers, and to choose secure payment methods such as credit cards or PayPal. The average loss per scam stands at £436, with some victims losing as much as £1,700, making caution essential as the Oasis tour approaches.