Protect your wallet: Australian Open fans are the latest targets of ticketing scams
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Attention Australian Open enthusiasts: while the thrill of the game might be all-encompassing, it’s crucial to keep your wits about you when scoring those sought-after tickets.
With throngs of fans eager to watch their favourite teams, a new scam has surfaced, ready to exploit the excitement around one of the world’s premier tennis events.
Cybersecurity experts have warned fans seeking to score cheap tickets to the Grand Slam event to beware of online scams designed to steal money and personal information.
Scammers are capitalising on the desperation of fans who missed out on official tickets and are now seeking alternative, cheaper options.
Adrianus Warmenhoven, a Cybersecurity Expert at VPN provider NordVPN, explained that this desperation could lead to lowered guards and increased vulnerability.
‘People tend to let their guard down whenever they feel like the safe option is too expensive or they missed a chance to buy tickets to their favourite sports event from an official ticket seller,’ he said.
'This way, they expose themselves to greedy scammers waiting for someone to make a mistake, give out their data, or transfer money into malicious hands.'
The scam operates through the creation of phishing websites that mimic the URLs of official ticket distributors.
These sites appear legitimate, luring unsuspecting fans into purchasing fake tickets. The scam doesn't stop at stealing money; it also harvests payment card information and personal data, which can later be sold on the dark web.
'Any website that resells tickets should be approached with extreme caution,' advised Warmenhoven.
'They could be used to steal not only money but also payment card information or other personal information, which could be later sold on the dark web.'
Warmenhoven offered some tips to help fans identify potential scam sites.
Firstly, be wary of lower prices. Resellers typically do not offer tickets that are cheaper than those of official distributors.
Secondly, check the website if there’s anything suspicious about it.
'If you enter a suspicious website, inspect it for grammar mistakes, flashy ads, or poor design,' he said.
'Usually, criminals don't invest too much time in polishing every sentence or illustration.'
Last year, a Victorian man lost $600 for tickets that never arrived after purchasing them through a resale website.
Patrick, from Glenroy in Melbourne’s north, purchased concert tickets from a resale website for a much cheaper price. Unfortunately, he never received them.
It was also last year when thousands of Australian Football League (AFL) fans were robbed of around $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, and ‘it all looked legitimate’.
Under Victorian law, particularly the Major Events Act 2009, tickets to a declared major event can't be advertised for resale or resold for more than 10 per cent above their original value.
Ticket package sellers must be authorised by the event organiser, and individual ticket advertisements must also include ticket and seating details.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan announced last year that this law would also cover scalpers attempting to exploit sales for Taylor Swift’s Eras tour.
The warning about Australian Open ticket scams comes on the heels of cybersecurity experts revealing AI voice impersonation scams as one of the top emerging cons to watch out for over 2024.
These scams can be created with as little as 'three seconds' of audio from social media, voicemail or video on a website and dupe loved ones into paying money.
As technology advances, so do the methods employed by scammers. Staying informed about these potential threats is the first step in protecting yourself and your hard-earned money.
To stay updated on the latest scams, you may also visit our Scam Watch forum for the latest news.
Have you or someone you know ever fallen victim to an online ticket scam? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below.
With throngs of fans eager to watch their favourite teams, a new scam has surfaced, ready to exploit the excitement around one of the world’s premier tennis events.
Cybersecurity experts have warned fans seeking to score cheap tickets to the Grand Slam event to beware of online scams designed to steal money and personal information.
Scammers are capitalising on the desperation of fans who missed out on official tickets and are now seeking alternative, cheaper options.
As many anticipate the Australian Open 2024, scammers take advantage of it by selling fake tickets through fake resale websites. Credit: Unsplash
Adrianus Warmenhoven, a Cybersecurity Expert at VPN provider NordVPN, explained that this desperation could lead to lowered guards and increased vulnerability.
‘People tend to let their guard down whenever they feel like the safe option is too expensive or they missed a chance to buy tickets to their favourite sports event from an official ticket seller,’ he said.
'This way, they expose themselves to greedy scammers waiting for someone to make a mistake, give out their data, or transfer money into malicious hands.'
The scam operates through the creation of phishing websites that mimic the URLs of official ticket distributors.
These sites appear legitimate, luring unsuspecting fans into purchasing fake tickets. The scam doesn't stop at stealing money; it also harvests payment card information and personal data, which can later be sold on the dark web.
'Any website that resells tickets should be approached with extreme caution,' advised Warmenhoven.
'They could be used to steal not only money but also payment card information or other personal information, which could be later sold on the dark web.'
Warmenhoven offered some tips to help fans identify potential scam sites.
Firstly, be wary of lower prices. Resellers typically do not offer tickets that are cheaper than those of official distributors.
Secondly, check the website if there’s anything suspicious about it.
'If you enter a suspicious website, inspect it for grammar mistakes, flashy ads, or poor design,' he said.
'Usually, criminals don't invest too much time in polishing every sentence or illustration.'
Last year, a Victorian man lost $600 for tickets that never arrived after purchasing them through a resale website.
Patrick, from Glenroy in Melbourne’s north, purchased concert tickets from a resale website for a much cheaper price. Unfortunately, he never received them.
It was also last year when thousands of Australian Football League (AFL) fans were robbed of around $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, and ‘it all looked legitimate’.
Under Victorian law, particularly the Major Events Act 2009, tickets to a declared major event can't be advertised for resale or resold for more than 10 per cent above their original value.
Ticket package sellers must be authorised by the event organiser, and individual ticket advertisements must also include ticket and seating details.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan announced last year that this law would also cover scalpers attempting to exploit sales for Taylor Swift’s Eras tour.
The warning about Australian Open ticket scams comes on the heels of cybersecurity experts revealing AI voice impersonation scams as one of the top emerging cons to watch out for over 2024.
These scams can be created with as little as 'three seconds' of audio from social media, voicemail or video on a website and dupe loved ones into paying money.
As technology advances, so do the methods employed by scammers. Staying informed about these potential threats is the first step in protecting yourself and your hard-earned money.
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