‘It looked legitimate’ – Thousands of Footy fans got tricked by fake AFL tickets in this 'sophisticated scam'
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Some of us here at the Seniors Discount Club are no strangers to the excitement and thrill of watching Australian Football League (AFL) games. It's a great way to spend the weekend and bring the family together for some quality time.
However, we must also be careful not to get swept away in the chaos of buying tickets to games to ensure our hard-earned money isn’t swindled away by unscrupulous scammers.
This warning comes after it was reported that thousands of disappointed footy fans found themselves robbed of a staggering $600,000 in a sophisticated AFL ticket scam ahead of the Carlton-Collingwood game.
According to reports, scammers used fake corporate hospitality tickets to steal vast sums of money from unsuspecting individuals, such as Tony Hachem, a professional poker player and owner of the events company, The Hachem Group.
Hachem invested around $18,000 for two corporate boxes at the MCG, only to realise the day before the game that he had fallen victim to the scam. ‘It all looked legitimate. You saw the tickets,’ Hachem told reporters.
‘How is one supposed to know? This is a sophisticated scam because they build trust over time, and then they get innocent people.’
Disturbingly, Hachem purchased the tickets from a contact who had sold him legitimate tickets in the past via the social media messaging app WhatsApp, making the scam even harder to detect.
Stephanie Tonkin from the Consumer Action Law Centre offers some advice to avoid being caught in such scams: ‘Consumers should always try to buy tickets from the original source.’
The AFL also reiterates this sentiment, reminding fans to purchase tickets and hospitality packages only through official channels.
Regrettably, this isn't the first instance of fake ticket scams. Last month, a 24-year-old man was charged with scamming more than $25,000 from AFL fans who thought they were purchasing genuine tickets to the Geelong and Sydney 2022 Grand Final.
According to reports, James Bambino’s alleged victims did not realise they were being ripped off until hours before the game.
One victim said she sent the scammer almost $1,000 for tickets to the grand final to give as a gift to her husband and his elderly mother. But when Bambino said he never received the money, the victim’s family friend stepped in and transferred the cash.
The tickets never arrived.
So, how can we protect ourselves from these ticket scams and ensure our money is spent on worthwhile experiences? Here are some tips to stay safe:
1. Scammers on social media often use language that feels off, such as ‘Who is interested in buying a ticket … at a cheaper rate’ or ‘These tickets are for sale at a good, cheap price’. Similarly, if a profile for a ticket seller doesn’t include any biographical details or is a blank profile with nearly identical profile and cover photos, it could be a scammer.
2. Always buy tickets from official sources like the AFL websites or accredited ticket sellers. Avoid third-party platforms where the seller's credibility cannot be verified.
3. Be wary of offers that seem too good to be true. If a ticket price is significantly lower than the market price from official sources, it could very well be a scam.
4. Look for secure payment options when purchasing tickets. Reputable websites will offer secure methods to protect your financial information, while scammers may insist on cash, direct bank transfers, or other untraceable methods.
5. Pay attention to the sender's contact information and messages. Check for inconsistencies, such as email addresses that don't match official organisations or strange grammar in the text.
6. If in doubt, contact the official ticketing source or the venue hosting the event to confirm the legitimacy of a ticket or, if possible, the promotion they are offering.
By following these precautions, we can ensure we don't fall victim to these scams and that our footy experiences remain exciting, fun, and, most importantly, legitimate. Stay vigilant so we can keep enjoying the games we love!
Have you ever experienced something like this? How did you handle it? Tell us about it in the comments below.
However, we must also be careful not to get swept away in the chaos of buying tickets to games to ensure our hard-earned money isn’t swindled away by unscrupulous scammers.
This warning comes after it was reported that thousands of disappointed footy fans found themselves robbed of a staggering $600,000 in a sophisticated AFL ticket scam ahead of the Carlton-Collingwood game.
According to reports, scammers used fake corporate hospitality tickets to steal vast sums of money from unsuspecting individuals, such as Tony Hachem, a professional poker player and owner of the events company, The Hachem Group.
A scammer swindled an eye-watering $600,000 in a sophisticated AFL scam. Credit: Tara Winstead/Pexels
Hachem invested around $18,000 for two corporate boxes at the MCG, only to realise the day before the game that he had fallen victim to the scam. ‘It all looked legitimate. You saw the tickets,’ Hachem told reporters.
‘How is one supposed to know? This is a sophisticated scam because they build trust over time, and then they get innocent people.’
Disturbingly, Hachem purchased the tickets from a contact who had sold him legitimate tickets in the past via the social media messaging app WhatsApp, making the scam even harder to detect.
Stephanie Tonkin from the Consumer Action Law Centre offers some advice to avoid being caught in such scams: ‘Consumers should always try to buy tickets from the original source.’
The AFL also reiterates this sentiment, reminding fans to purchase tickets and hospitality packages only through official channels.
Businesses were also tricked out of their money. Credit: Shutterstock
Regrettably, this isn't the first instance of fake ticket scams. Last month, a 24-year-old man was charged with scamming more than $25,000 from AFL fans who thought they were purchasing genuine tickets to the Geelong and Sydney 2022 Grand Final.
According to reports, James Bambino’s alleged victims did not realise they were being ripped off until hours before the game.
One victim said she sent the scammer almost $1,000 for tickets to the grand final to give as a gift to her husband and his elderly mother. But when Bambino said he never received the money, the victim’s family friend stepped in and transferred the cash.
The tickets never arrived.
So, how can we protect ourselves from these ticket scams and ensure our money is spent on worthwhile experiences? Here are some tips to stay safe:
1. Scammers on social media often use language that feels off, such as ‘Who is interested in buying a ticket … at a cheaper rate’ or ‘These tickets are for sale at a good, cheap price’. Similarly, if a profile for a ticket seller doesn’t include any biographical details or is a blank profile with nearly identical profile and cover photos, it could be a scammer.
Remember these online tips! Image credit: The Seniors Discount Club
2. Always buy tickets from official sources like the AFL websites or accredited ticket sellers. Avoid third-party platforms where the seller's credibility cannot be verified.
3. Be wary of offers that seem too good to be true. If a ticket price is significantly lower than the market price from official sources, it could very well be a scam.
4. Look for secure payment options when purchasing tickets. Reputable websites will offer secure methods to protect your financial information, while scammers may insist on cash, direct bank transfers, or other untraceable methods.
5. Pay attention to the sender's contact information and messages. Check for inconsistencies, such as email addresses that don't match official organisations or strange grammar in the text.
6. If in doubt, contact the official ticketing source or the venue hosting the event to confirm the legitimacy of a ticket or, if possible, the promotion they are offering.
Have you ever experienced something like this? How did you handle it? Tell us about it in the comments below.
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