Fake Ticket Scams via Email
How phishing emails and fraudulent ticket confirmation messages deliver fake event tickets, leaving buyers locked out of events and unable to recover their money.
Part of: Fake Ticket Scams
Last reviewed: 9 June 2026
Email is the delivery mechanism for legitimate event tickets, which makes it an ideal vector for fake ticket fraud. A buyer who purchases tickets through what appears to be an official channel receives a confirmation email and a PDF or digital ticket that looks authentic. The fraud is only discovered at the venue entrance, often after substantial travel expense has been incurred.
Phishing emails that mimic official ticketing platforms are the second threat vector: an email claiming to be from Ticketmaster, AXS, or a venue directly prompts the buyer to 'complete their order' or 'claim a waiting list offer,' capturing payment details on a fraudulent site. Both forms of email ticket fraud exploit the expectation that event tickets arrive digitally.
How this scam works on email
In the first version, a buyer responding to a social media post or classified ad for tickets is directed to an email exchange with a seller. After payment by bank transfer or gift card, the seller emails a PDF ticket that contains a real-looking but invalid barcode. When scanned at the door, it is rejected. The seller is now unreachable.
In the second version, a phishing email arrives claiming to be from an official ticketing platform. The email states the buyer must complete identity verification or additional payment to secure tickets they have been offered on the waiting list. The payment page is fraudulent. Some variants send congratulatory 'You have been selected' emails for a ballot, which leads to a fraudulent payment page for tickets that the sender does not have the ability to fulfil.
Common red flags
- Ticket confirmation email arrives from a domain different from the official ticketing platform
- PDF ticket PDF barcode cannot be validated through the venue's official mobile scanner app
- Ticket purchased through a reseller and payment was made by bank transfer
- Waiting list success email that requires payment through a link — official platforms never contact waiting lists this way
- Seller's email address uses a free webmail service rather than a business domain
- Ticket price is above or well below face value with no explanation of the source
How to protect yourself
- Purchase tickets only from official box offices, verified resellers, or fan-to-fan platforms with transfer protections
- Verify ticket QR codes through the venue's official app before travel if possible
- Never pay for resale tickets by bank transfer — use a payment method with buyer protection
- Check phishing email addresses carefully and navigate to ticketing sites by typing their URLs directly
- Register on the event's official waiting list rather than responding to third-party waiting list emails
How to report it
- Report to Action Fraud (UK) or the FTC (US)
- Report to the ticketing platform being impersonated
- File a chargeback with your card issuer for non-delivery of tickets
Frequently asked questions
How can I verify an emailed ticket before attending?
Many venues and official ticketing apps offer a pre-event ticket scan feature that shows whether the barcode is valid. Use this before you travel. If not available, call the venue box office directly and quote the ticket reference number.
Is it safe to buy tickets from Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace?
Peer-to-peer ticket sales carry significant fraud risk. If you proceed, meet the seller in person at the venue on the day and verify the tickets at the gate before money changes hands. Never pay in advance for a ticket from an unknown seller.