Liverpool football supporters are being scammed more than anyone else and for the most amount of money, as revealed in the NatWest League of Ticket Scams, which details how much fans at each club lost last year to ticket scams.
In a statement today (22 August), the UK's NatWest bank said Liverpool fans lost over £17k to criminals, closely followed by Arsenal fans who lost £12k.
The data is based on the volumes and value of actual cases reported to the bank.
Ticket scams often originate on social media sites including Facebook Marketplace. Fans will be asked to transfer the money in advance and then the ticket either doesn’t materialise or fans are sent fake tickets which in some instances are only then discovered at the turnstiles.
On average ticket fraud is costing those scammed fans £180.66 a season. The highest reported ticket scam case was reported by an Arsenal fan as the club tried to win its first title in 20 years. The fan lost £900.
As the end of the season approached, April was the month the most amount of money was lost by fans with £9,925.50 stolen by criminals.
Stuart Skinner, head of fraud prevention at NatWest said: “As the new season kicks off we urge customers to be extra vigilant and stay safe from criminals who are exploiting fans devotion to their club. We estimate the actual value of ticket scams is potentially much higher but not all of the scams are reported.”
“Social media platforms need to give a red card to the fraudsters using them to exploit people’s passion for football.”
NatWest League of Ticket Scams
| Club | Total amount | Average | Highest case | Number of cases |
| Liverpool | £17,894.71 | £235.46 | £850.00 | 76 |
| Arsenal | £12,019.90 | £171.71 | £900.00 | 70 |
| Chelsea | £2,860.50 | £143.03 | £352.00 | 20 |
| Man Utd | £2,450.00 | £136.11 | £350.00 | 18 |
| Newcastle | £1,497.50 | £213.93 | £846.50 | 7 |
| Man City | £1,285.00 | £142.78 | £360.00 | 9 |
| Tottenham | £1,050.00 | £131.25 | £280.00 | 8 |
| Everton | £310.00 | £77.50 | £90.00 | 4 |
| Wolves | £195.00 | £65.00 | £100.00 | 3 |
| Fulham | £180.00 | £90.00 | £160.00 | 2 |
| Luton | £160.00 | £160.00 | £160.00 | 1 |
| West Ham | £150.00 | £75.00 | £100.00 | 2 |
| Burnley | £100.00 | £100.00 | £100.00 | 1 |
| Crystal Palace | £75.00 | £75.00 | £75.00 | 1 |
| Bournemouth | £60.00 | £60.00 | £60.00 | 1 |
| Grand Total | £40,287.61 | £180.66 | £900.00 | 223 |
*Based on reported ticket scams
NatWest has eight tips to stay safe and enjoy the football season:
1. Buy from official sources Always purchase tickets directly from the official team website, authorized ticket vendors, or well-known and reputable resale platforms.
2. Verify the seller If buying from a secondary market or an individual seller, do thorough research. Check their reputation through reviews and ratings.
3. Be Wary of too-good-to-be-true deals Scammers often lure buyers with prices that are significantly lower than the market rate.
4. Check ticket details Before making a purchase, carefully examine the ticket details. Ensure the date, time, venue, and seating information are accurate. Be cautious of vague or incomplete information which could indicate a fraudulent ticket.
5. Use secure payment methods Avoid paying with cash or bank transfers.
6. Look for secure websites When purchasing tickets online, ensure the website is secure. Look for https:// in the URL and a padlock icon in the address bar.
7. Beware of social media scams Be cautious of ads or sellers on social media.
8. Report suspected scams If you encounter a suspected scam, report it your bank and the police immediately.
