Fake Ticket Scams
Bogus event, attraction and transport tickets sold online that don't work at the gate.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
What this scam is
Fake ticket scams sell event, attraction or transport tickets that are counterfeit, duplicated, or never delivered. Travellers discover the problem only at the gate.
How it works
Sold via social media, resale sites or fake stores, the tickets may be invalid QR codes, the same ticket sold many times, or nothing at all. Off-platform payment is pushed to avoid protections.
Common red flags
- Sold-out events available cheaply from a stranger
- Pressure to pay by transfer off-platform
- Seller can't prove ticket validity
- Screenshots of tickets instead of official transfers
Sanitized example messages
Illustrative, sanitized examples. Personal details are replaced with placeholders such as [phone number] and [fake link].
Selling 2 tickets to [event], face value, pay by transfer and I'll send the PDFs.
Payment methods used
- Bank transfer
- Payment apps
- Crypto
Who is usually targeted
- Event-goers
- Tourists booking attractions
What to do immediately
- Buy only from official box offices or authorised resale platforms
- Avoid paying strangers by transfer for tickets
- Contact your bank and report if scammed
Evidence to preserve
- Listing and seller details
- Chat
- Payment records
Where to report it
- Action Fraud (UK) — UK national fraud & cybercrime reporting centre
- FTC ReportFraud (US) — US Federal Trade Commission fraud reports
- FBI IC3 (US) — US Internet Crime Complaint Center
- Scamwatch (Australia) — Australian competition & consumer reporting
- Your bank's fraud line — Use the number on the back of your card or in your banking app — never a number the caller gives you
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Frequently asked questions
Are resold tickets safe to buy?
Use official box offices or authorised resale platforms that guarantee validity. Buying from strangers via transfer for 'sold out' events is high-risk, as tickets may be fake or resold many times.