With the summer season live performance season quick approaching, police are reminding festival-goers to not fall prey to ticket scams.
Criminals make the most of demand by organising pretend web sites providing tickets for occasions which can be already bought out, or the place tickets haven’t formally gone on sale but.
There have been 226 victims of on-line ticketing fraud in Larger Manchester within the 2013-14 monetary 12 months, leading to greater than £208,000 being stolen.
Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Davies of GMP’s Financial Crime Unit stated: “For those who love music, sport or another reside occasion, it is typically tough to acquire tickets from an official supply. Maybe you’ve got left it too late, or perhaps they’re too costly and also you suppose you would possibly be capable of get them cheaper elsewhere.
“The temptation is at all times to start out looking on-line, however shopping for from unofficial sources typically leads to individuals receiving pretend tickets, and even none in any respect. That’s the reason we at all times advise buying from official suppliers, to keep away from the crushing disappointment that comes once you realise you will not be going to that particular gig or match in any case.
“I need to reassure the general public that our sources are centered on these fraudsters who’re inflicting probably the most hurt, and we often run investigations that end in important sentences for offenders, in addition to the restoration of criminally obtained funds.”
Among the many occasions happening in Manchester this summer season is the Parklife Weekender, which will probably be held on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June at Heaton Park. The music competition has now bought out, and officers are working carefully with organisers to make sure it runs easily.
Police are additionally sending out a collection of tweets this week on find out how to keep away from ticket scams, and you may observe the dialog at #TicketFraud
Recommendation consists of checking with occasion organisers to see how and when tickets are being distributed, at all times studying the phrases and circumstances on web sites, and checking that the ticket provider has a landline on this nation and a correct deal with, relatively than a PO Field.
Fee pages on web sites needs to be safe, with a padlock image and ‘https’ within the deal with bar, and tickets needs to be paid for by bank card, as issuers are collectively liable if the worth of a single ticket is greater than £100.
Extra suggestions will be discovered at actionfraud.police.uk/fraud-az-ticket-scam
If you’re a sufferer of a ticketing rip-off, report the matter to Motion Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or name 0300 123 2040