Ticket touts in the UK are leveraging a network of overseas "ticket pullers" to purchase hundreds of concert tickets as soon as they become available, thus depriving fans of the opportunity to buy them at face value. According to a recent BBC Wales Investigates report, individuals in countries like Pakistan and India have been found employing illegal software and multiple identities to snap up tickets for some of the UK’s most anticipated events, including the upcoming Oasis reunion tour and Taylor Swift's Eras tour.
The investigation indicates that these operations are making millions, with one managing to sell forfait tickets online for desperate fans at prices soaring to 40 times the original cost. Ali, a ticket pulling company boss, boasted about securing hundreds of tickets for big-events while claiming that UK touts are reaping huge profits. Meanwhile, both the UK government and ticketing companies face criticism for not doing enough to tackle touting practices that exploit consumers.
The share of illegal practices doesn’t stop at music. Thousands of Premier League football tickets are also being illegally resold, despite regulations in place that prohibit unauthorized ticket sales. While the UK government is contemplating new legislation to combat this ticketing crisis, evidence of scamming practices persists. Some critics argue that existing measures fall short and do not sufficiently safeguard consumers from aggressive ticket touts. As the concert season approaches, the pressure mounts on authorities to act decisively against these practices to protect loyal fans and foster a fair ticketing environment.
The investigation indicates that these operations are making millions, with one managing to sell forfait tickets online for desperate fans at prices soaring to 40 times the original cost. Ali, a ticket pulling company boss, boasted about securing hundreds of tickets for big-events while claiming that UK touts are reaping huge profits. Meanwhile, both the UK government and ticketing companies face criticism for not doing enough to tackle touting practices that exploit consumers.
The share of illegal practices doesn’t stop at music. Thousands of Premier League football tickets are also being illegally resold, despite regulations in place that prohibit unauthorized ticket sales. While the UK government is contemplating new legislation to combat this ticketing crisis, evidence of scamming practices persists. Some critics argue that existing measures fall short and do not sufficiently safeguard consumers from aggressive ticket touts. As the concert season approaches, the pressure mounts on authorities to act decisively against these practices to protect loyal fans and foster a fair ticketing environment.