Tech firm Altia issues ticket fraud warning amid Oasis scams

Altia, a specialist investigative tech firm, has issued a warning to fans about the risks of ticket fraud as they attempt to secure passes for major events. This follows an investigation into Ticketmaster over the Oasis reunion and the rising number of ticket fraud cases.

In the past year, ticket fraud resulted in losses amounting to GBP £6.7 million, with more than 8,700 cases reported. On average, each victim suffered a loss of GBP £772. Megan Searle, a former fraud investigator and Product Owner at Altia, has provided advice on how to avoid such scams.

According to Searle, one key piece of advice for fans is to start with official channels when purchasing tickets. "Check what the artist or event website says about legitimate ticket sellers," she advises. "For example, Taylor Swift recently provided a list of verified sellers for her concerts."

Megan further emphasised the importance of avoiding secondary sales from unknown sources. "If you can't get a ticket through the official site, don't just jump onto social media or random websites," she warned. "You don't know who you're dealing with. Even if they send you what seems like a legitimate QR code, it could already be used. You could show up at the venue only to be turned away."

She also highlighted the additional hidden costs that come with falling victim to a scam. Searle noted that travel and accommodation expenses can add up to a significant loss. "It's simply not worth the risk," she said, adding, "Spend the extra money to ensure your ticket is legitimate."

The reality of this issue was brought into sharp focus with the recent scramble for Oasis reunion tickets. Originally advertised at GBP £151.25, the tickets saw a significant price surge to GBP £337.50 each due to 'in demand' pricing. Four standing tickets ended up costing around GBP £1,400 after including service and order processing fees. Despite the high costs, many fans were still left disappointed and scrambling for gig passes.

Megan underscored the importance of remaining sensible even when the excitement around securing tickets is high. "Don't let the obsession of securing a ticket cloud your judgment," she urged. "It's easy to get caught up in the hype and panic when tickets sell out quickly, but that's exactly when you're most vulnerable to fraud."

Altia has been supporting law enforcement agencies with their fraud investigations through innovative solutions like Altia's Insight and Financial Investigation Toolkit, which help gather vast amounts of information and build cases seamlessly. Recently, the firm launched Altia HQ, an all-encompassing platform that offers a holistic approach to investigations, allowing users to save time, improve collaboration, and identify avenues of interest.

Altia's headquarters are based in Nottingham, with additional offices in Glasgow. The company specialises in providing digital intelligence and investigation solutions to law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and corporate entities.