The UK government and mobile network operator O2 have launched a joint campaign warning concert-goers about ticket fraud, as new research estimates that consumers lost £150 million to fraudulent ticket sales during the past year.

The warning comes during the summer festival season and ahead of major UK tours by artists including Ariana Grande, The Weeknd and Bon Jovi, with fans being urged to exercise particular caution when buying last-minute tickets through social media.

Ticket fraud typically involves consumers purchasing tickets through websites or social platforms that either never arrive or subsequently prove to be invalid.

According to research commissioned by O2, 14% of concert-goers surveyed said they had purchased a fake ticket, with 77% of fraudulent tickets bought through online platforms.

Younger audiences were found to be particularly exposed. Some 31% of respondents aged 18-24 said they had been sold a fake ticket, compared with 4% among those aged 55 and over.

Part of wider anti-fraud strategy

The initiative forms part of the UK government`s Stop! Think Fraud campaign, which aims to improve public awareness of fraud and help consumers recognise potential scams.

Earlier this year, the government announced £250 million in investment as part of a new fraud strategy, including the establishment of an Online Crime Centre intended to bring police and industry together to tackle scams.

O2, which sponsors 21 venues across the UK and sold more than 1.7 million tickets through its Priority Tickets programme last year, has campaigned alongside FanFair Alliance since 2017 for greater transparency within the ticketing and secondary ticket market.

The company also launched its Stamp It Tout information platform last year, providing guidance to consumers buying tickets on the resale market.

Fans urged to use authorised sellers

Fraud Minister Lord Hanson said:

“Fraud is an absolutely shameful crime, and this data shows that anyone can be a victim.

“Scammers exploit our excitement and desperation to see our favourite artists live. They post fake messages on social media seeking to catch fans when their guard is down in a last-minute rush for tickets.

“I urge everyone to Stop! Think Fraud before buying tickets – let’s not let scammers get in the way of enjoying concerts this summer.”

Gareth Griffiths, Director, Partnerships and Sponsorship at Virgin Media O2, added:

“Ticketing scams are a blight on the UK`s live music industry, and it`s heartbreaking to see so many fans being targeted. Seeing your favourite artist live should be an exciting experience, not one that leaves you out of pocket or turned away at the door. That`s why O2 is encouraging fans to stay vigilant, buy tickets only from official authorised services and use capped fan-to-fan resale platforms when a show is sold out.”

Resale legislation remains in development

The warning comes as the UK government continues work on proposed legislation aimed at restricting ticket resale prices. Plans previously announced would make it illegal for tickets to live events to be resold for more than their original price.

Draft legislation is expected to set out how the measures would be enforced and how the rules would apply across the secondary ticketing market.

Consumers are being advised to purchase tickets through official or authorised ticketing services, avoid direct bank transfers or cryptocurrency payments, and exercise caution when purchasing resale tickets through social media or unofficial platforms.

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