Oasis fans face ticket scams

As the legendary band Oasis gears up for their much-anticipated UK tour, fans are not just excited – they're also vulnerable.

Tickets scams have left many loyal fans out of pocket and disillusioned. Here’s a look at the issue, how it happens and what you can do to protect yourself.

Preying on fans

Since  Oasis announced their reunion, hundreds of fans have reported being scammed while trying to buy tickets.

Analysis by Lloyds revealed that about 70% of all concert ticket scams reported since 27 August involved Oasis fans. On average, victims have lost £346, with some losing up to £1,000.

• Who’s most at risk? Over 90% of cases start on social media, mainly Facebook.
• 35-to-44-year-olds are most targeted, accounting for 31% of reported scams.
• Scammers have taken advantage of people’s excitement about the tour, exploiting eager fans.

Social media: a scammer’s playground

Social media has become a hotbed for ticket fraud. Many unofficial groups dedicated to buying and selling Oasis tickets have sprung up, boasting tens of thousands of members. Although Facebook’s parent company Meta forbids the sale of concert tickets, these groups continue to thrive.

Liz Ziegler, Fraud Prevention Director at Lloyds, said:

“Predictably, fraudsters wasted no time in targeting loyal Oasis fans as they scrambled to pick up tickets for next year’s must-see reunion tour.”

How ticket purchase scams work

Understanding how these scams operate can be your first line of defence. Here’s how they work:

• victims are tricked into sending money via bank transfer for non-existent tickets
• scammers use fake adverts offering tickets at discounted prices or for sold-out events
• once payment is made, the scammer disappears, leaving the victim empty-handed
• scams often happen shortly after tickets are released and again as the event date approaches

How to buy concert tickets safely

Don’t let the excitement of seeing your favourite band cloud your judgement. Here are some tips to help you navigate the ticket-buying process safely:

• Stick to trusted retailers: Always buy tickets from reputable, official ticket-selling platforms.
• Be careful on social media: Verify user profiles and listings before making any purchases.
• Avoid deals that look too good to be true: If a price seems unrealistically low, it probably is.
• Use secure payment methods: Paying with a debit or credit card offers more protection than bank transfers.

Get more tips in our guide on how to outsmart online scammers.