Premier League - Internet ticket scam busted

Eurosport - Wed, 11 Mar 11:12:00 2009

Premier League chiefs have closed down a ticket-touting website where desperate fans have been paying upwards of £200 for the chance to see top-flight teams in action.

FOOTBALL Ticket tout - 0

Officialtickets.net are believed to have made hundreds of thousands of pounds by charging inflated prices for seats at top Premier League matches, but many customers never even received their tickets.

"We had hundreds of complaints," said Premier League spokesman Dan Johnson.

"It (the website) had a very prominent position in search engines and it was easy for fans to find. And because it had the word 'official'' in the title, people were taken in.

"There is no doubt this was a very complex operation set up to fleece supporters."

One fan paid £115 for the chance to see Liverpool play Manchester City, but his ticket never arrived.

Another splashed out £450 for a pair of tickets to see Arsenal, when the face value was just £60 each.

The Premier League believe similar operations rake in millions of pounds every season, and advise fans to exercise caution when buying tickets online.

"The demand to see Premier League football is so great, people are prepared to spend a lot, and this attracts the fraudsters," said Johnson.

"But getting this site closed down is a big victory for us. It will hopefully send out a message to others that we are not sitting back and allowing fans to be ripped off."

Will Tidey / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 12 of 12

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  1. who do i go to if i have been scammed online. i bought­ tickets with smart hospitality tickets recieved­ reciepts but now they are not answering my call or e­ mails

    From gillianw, on Thu 2 Apr 9:27PM

  2. who do i go to if i have been scammed online. i bought­ tickets with smart hospitality tickets recieved­ reciepts but now they are not answering my call or e­ mails

    From gillianw, on Thu 2 Apr 9:27PM

  3. This site is a 100% scam! don't ever order from­ them.

    From paris3737, on Mon 16 Mar 10:45AM

  4. camtasia you are that thick you look for footy boots­ with studs inside

    From Fred, on Thu 12 Mar 12:47PM

  5. you should be called dodgy not dodger you muppet

    From Fred, on Thu 12 Mar 12:45PM

  6. What Position Do You Play In Them Hiking Boots ? Are­ They As Comfortable As Preditor's ?

    From camtasia_1, on Thu 12 Mar 3:22AM

  7. sure the site isnt called Ebay

    From dodger, on Wed 11 Mar 9:44PM

  8. viagogo has exchanges set up with Man U and Chelsea.­ The tickets are sold at face value – it was essentially­ set up so season tickets holders could sell tickets to­ the games they couldn't attend.

    From benisaac42, on Wed 11 Mar 3:35PM

  9. Does anyone know of a good place to buy tickets. I lost­ 300 trying to buy Liverpool Man Utd tickets a couple­ years ago. but i'd never been to a big game so i­ really wanted to see them.
    People just have to be­ careful and not encourage them by paying stupid prices­ for a game.

    From Murad A, on Wed 11 Mar 1:41PM
  10. Comment hidden due to it's low rating. Show

    If the alarm bells don't start ringing at £450 for­ 2 £60 tickets then these people only have themselves to­ blame

    From Graham P, on Wed 11 Mar 12:41PM

  11. if you use paypal or a credit card you are protected­ from scum who just want to fleece you, most sites are­ ok I have just bought a pair of hiking boots off the­ internet and had no problem. Most premier league clubs­ sell tickets via there web site i recommend you use­ there site.

    From Fred, on Wed 11 Mar 11:38AM

  12. it's reasons like this that i don't buy stuff­ online.

    From aleksicn93, on Wed 11 Mar 11:27AM
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