Scam epidemic hits Oasis faithful with millions lost before tour begins

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Oasis fans have been swindled out of more than £2 million in ticket scams since the band announced their reunion tour, according to Lloyds Banking Group, which based its estimate on fraud reports from customers. The analysis revealed that Oasis-related scams account for over half of all concert ticket fraud cases reported this year, with victims losing £436 on average and one individual defrauded of more than £1,700.
The average loss per scam involving Oasis tickets exceeds typical concert fraud by approximately £200, highlighting the premium fans are willing to pay for the highly anticipated tour. Dynamic pricing practices during the August 2024 ticket release sparked widespread frustration, leaving many fans vulnerable to social media scams as they sought last-minute options.
Individuals aged 35 to 44 represent nearly a third of reported cases, with Edinburgh, Warrington, and Manchester emerging as the top hotspots for fraud activity. Lloyds identified over 1,000 incidents among its customers since ticket sales began, projecting at least 5,000 victims nationwide based on its market share.
Fake social media listings dominate the scams, with unofficial groups on platforms like Facebook facilitating fraudulent transactions despite Meta’s policies prohibiting ticket sales. Liz Ziegler, fraud prevention director at Lloyds, emphasized that scammers exploit desperation by offering non-existent tickets at inflated prices or “sold-out” access, vanishing after receiving bank transfers.
“The Oasis tour is the latest target for ticket scammers, with millions of pounds of fans’ money stolen before the gigs even kick off,” Ziegler said. “The fact that so many cases start with fake listings on social media, often in violation of the platforms’ own rules, underscores the importance of these companies taking stronger action to tackle scams.”
Lloyds advises purchasing tickets exclusively through authorized retailers and avoiding bank transfers to sellers on social media. The top 10 scam hotspots include Newcastle upon Tyne, Sheffield, Glasgow, Nottingham, Birmingham, Plymouth, and Newport, collectively accounting for a quarter of reported cases.
Fraudsters typically strike in two waves: during initial ticket releases and as event dates approach. Fans are urged to scrutinize deals that seem too good to be true, particularly those advertised on unverified platforms. “Buying directly from re