**Viagogo’s Controversial Resale Tactics: Re-seller Sent Tickets Paired with Itinerary from Individual’s Passport**

Ticket Resale Market Under Scrutiny as Fans Face Fraud and Deception

London, United Kingdom – A growing wave of reports is exposing deceptive practices and potential fraud within the online ticket resale industry, prompting calls for stricter regulation and consumer protection. Investigations reveal how secondary ticketing platforms may be facilitating illicit activities,leaving fans vulnerable to scams and financial loss.

Passport Deception and Questionable Tactics

Danny, a concertgoer in South London, discovered a disturbing tactic employed by the resale platform Viagogo. Shortly before attending a Deftones concert, he received a scanned copy of a dutch man’s passport ID from Viagogo, with instructions to present it to venue staff if asked to verify the “lead booker’s” identity. He described the experience as a deliberate attempt at deception. This incident highlights the lengths to which some resale platforms may go to circumvent restrictions imposed by primary ticket sellers like Ticketmaster, which expressly prohibit unauthorized resale.

The practice appears to involve sellers utilizing ticket-buying “bots” – automated software designed to rapidly purchase large quantities of tickets – and then transferring those tickets through Ticketmaster’s official transfer system,intended for legitimate friend-to-friend exchanges. According to ticketing expert reg Walker, this constitutes potential fraud, as buyers might potentially be denied entry if the discrepancy between the ticket holder’s ID and the name on the ticket is discovered.

Refunds Withheld and Exploited Demand

Kieran Maguire,an academic specializing in football finance,experienced another facet of the problem when he purchased a ticket for a Fontaines DC concert via Viagogo for £92. the ticket was later cancelled just hours before the event, only to reappear on the same platform at a significantly inflated price of £200. Maguire suspects the seller rescinded the original sale to capitalize on increased demand. While Viagogo issued a refund for the ticket cost, it did not cover Maguire’s non-refundable travel expenses.

Regulatory Crackdown Looms

These cases are unfolding as the UK government moves closer to implementing long-awaited regulations on the resale market. A consultation is underway regarding a cap on resale prices, possibly limiting mark-ups to between zero and 30 percent. This move stems from a Labour Party manifesto pledge and aims to curb the exploitation of fans by ticket touts.Current rules allow resale at face value plus a service charge through platforms like Ticketmaster’s internal system and Twickets.

Industry Pushback and Lobbying Efforts

However, the resale industry is actively fighting against these changes. Last year, reports surfaced of a secret meeting organized by touts and resale platforms to raise funds for a lobbying campaign aimed at derailing the proposed regulations. Additionally, industry-funded reports have emerged, warning that price caps could lead to a surge in fraudulent activity on unregulated platforms like social media.

A recent analysis by O2 uncovered mark-ups ranging from 100% to 1,149% on tickets for artists including Billie Eilish, oasis, and Diana Ross, illustrating the significant profits being generated by the current system.

Platform	Reported Issues	Response
Viagogo	Passport deception, cancelled tickets, potential fraud, data breach.	Denied encouraging touting; apologized for data breach.
Ticketmaster	Prohibition of unauthorized resale, transfer system exploited by touts.	Enforces terms and conditions regarding resale.

Did You know? In 2024, multiple individuals involved in large-scale ticket touting networks were jailed after generating millions through fraudulent practices facilitated by resale websites.

The Future of Ticket Resale

The debate surrounding ticket resale is complex. While proponents argue it provides a legitimate marketplace for fans to exchange tickets, critics contend it enables scalping and exploits passionate concertgoers. The upcoming regulations represent a critical step toward balancing the interests of all stakeholders and ensuring fairer access to live events.

Pro Tip: When purchasing tickets, especially from resale platforms, always prioritize official sources and be wary of prices that seem too good to be true. Verify the seller’s reputation and familiarize yourself with the platform’s refund policies.

Understanding the Ticket Resale Ecosystem

The secondary ticket market has evolved significantly over the past decade, driven by technological advancements and increasing demand for popular events. Originally intended as a fan-to-fan exchange, it has become dominated by professional ticket resale operations and individuals seeking to profit from scarcity. The use of bots and sophisticated algorithms to bypass ticket limits further exacerbates the problem, making it challenging for genuine fans to secure tickets at fair prices. This environment fosters distrust and requires increased transparency and regulation.

frequently Asked Questions About Ticket Resale

• What is a ticket tout? A ticket tout is someone who illegally resells tickets, often at inflated prices.
• Is it legal to resell tickets? legality varies by jurisdiction. The UK is introducing regulations to cap resale prices.
• What are ticket-buying bots? These are automated programs designed to purchase tickets rapidly, often exceeding purchase limits.
• What is speculative selling? This involves selling tickets that the seller does not yet possess, hoping to acquire them later.
• How can I avoid ticket fraud? Purchase from official sources, verify the seller’s reputation, and be wary of unusually low prices.
• what is the role of platforms like Viagogo and Ticketmaster in this issue? platforms can facilitate both legitimate resale and fraudulent activities depending on their policies and enforcement.
• What are the potential consequences of a ticket resale price cap? Potential consequences include reduced availability and a shift towards unregulated markets.

What are your experiences with ticket resale platforms? do you think price caps are the right solution to combat touting?

Here are 3 PAA (People Also Ask) related questions for the title: ‘

‘:

the Growing Concerns Around Viagogo and Ticket Resale

the secondary ticket market, dominated by platforms like Viagogo, StubHub, and TicketSwap, has long been a source of contention for both event organizers and ticket buyers. While proponents argue it offers versatility and a last-chance prospect to secure tickets,critics point to inflated prices,scalping,and increasingly,serious privacy concerns. Recent reports detailing viagogo’s practices – specifically, the resale of tickets paired with personal itinerary data gleaned from the original purchaser’s passport – have ignited a new wave of outrage and scrutiny.This practice raises important questions about data security, consumer rights, and the ethical boundaries of ticket resale.

How Did This Happen? The Data breach & Resale Chain

The core issue revolves around how resellers are obtaining, and then utilizing, sensitive personal data. It appears the process unfolds as follows:

1. Initial Purchase & Data Collection: A ticket buyer purchases tickets directly from the primary vendor (e.g., Ticketmaster, AXS). During the purchase process, they provide personal information, including passport details for international travel verification – particularly common for events requiring border crossings.
2. Ticket resale: The original buyer then resells the ticket on platforms like Viagogo.
3. Data Transfer & Exploitation: The reseller, rather of simply transferring the ticket, is also providing the itinerary information linked to the buyer’s passport to the new ticket purchaser. This is often done to facilitate entry into the event or country, especially when the ticket is tied to specific travel arrangements.
4. Privacy Violation: This transfer of sensitive data without consent is a clear breach of privacy and possibly violates data protection regulations like GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and similar laws worldwide.

The Hong Kong Case Study: Sammi Cheng Concert Tickets

A recent case highlighted on the Hong kong discussion forum discuss.com.hk https://www.discuss.com.hk/viewthread.php?tid=31265350 illustrates the problem. A user detailed their experience attempting to purchase Sammi Cheng concert tickets through Viagogo after failing to secure them during the primary sale. The reseller provided not only the ticket but also the original purchaser’s travel itinerary, raising serious alarm bells about data security. This isn’t an isolated incident; similar reports are surfacing across various online communities.

Legal Ramifications: Data Protection Laws & Consumer Rights

The practice of sharing passport and itinerary details alongside tickets carries significant legal risks.

GDPR & Data Privacy: In Europe, GDPR mandates strict rules regarding the processing of personal data. Sharing passport information without explicit consent is a direct violation.

CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act): Similar protections exist in California, granting consumers control over their personal information.

Consumer Protection Laws: Many countries have consumer protection laws that prohibit unfair or deceptive trade practices. Selling tickets with attached personal data could be considered deceptive.

Potential for Identity Theft: The exposure of passport details increases the risk of identity theft and fraud.

Viagogo’s Response & Ongoing Investigations

Viagogo has faced numerous investigations and legal challenges over the years regarding its pricing practices and transparency.While the company maintains it is a platform connecting buyers and sellers and isn’t directly responsible for the actions of individual resellers, critics argue they have a responsibility to vet sellers and prevent the sharing of sensitive data. The company has implemented some measures to combat fraudulent listings, but the issue of data transfer persists.

Protecting Yourself: Tips for Safe Ticket Purchases

here’s how to minimize your risk when buying tickets, especially on resale platforms:

Buy Directly from the Primary Vendor: This is always the safest option.

Research the Reseller: If you must use a resale platform, check the seller’s ratings and reviews