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Lloyds alerts Oasis fans to surge in ticket scams, with victims losing £436 on average


24 April 2025

  • Fans estimated to have lost over £2 million since tickets went on sale last year
  • 90% of reported Oasis ticket scams started on Meta-owned platforms
  • Thousands have fallen victim, losing an average of £436 each
  • Those aged 35-44 are most likely to be targeted by fraudsters

 

Fans of Oasis are being targeted by a surge of ticket scams on social media, as the Mancunian rock icons prepare to tour the UK this summer for the first time since 2009, according to new research by Lloyds.

What does the data say?

Lloyds' analysis of scam reports made by its own customers found there had been more than 1,000 cases since the sold-out tour was announced last August. Oasis fans make up more than half (56%) of all reported concert ticket scams so far this year.

How much are people losing?

Victims have lost an average of £436 each, which is around £200 more than the average concert ticket scam. The biggest amount lost in a single since case so far was more than £1,700. This suggests many fans are willing to pay well over face value to see their idols perform live. 

As these figures are based solely on Lloyds’ own customer data, the bank estimates that across the UK there are likely to have been at least 5,000 victims since tickets went on sale, with over £2 million lost to fraudsters.

Who is falling victim?

Those aged 35 – 44 years old are most likely to be targeted by the ticket fraudsters, making up almost a third (30%) of all cases.

Edinburgh, Warrington and Manchester have the highest number of victims, with the top 10 locations overall making up 25% of all cases.

Locations

1. Edinburgh

2. Warrington

3. Manchester

4. Newcastle Upon Tyne

5. Sheffield

7. Glasgow

8. Birmingham

9. Plymouth

10. Newport

How are fans being scammed?

  • Purchase scams happen when someone is tricked into sending money via bank transfer (also known as a Faster Payment) to buy goods or services that don’t exist. 
  • Ticket scams usually involve fake adverts, posts or listings on social media, offering tickets at discounted prices, or access to events which have already sold out at inflated prices. 
  • Victims are asked to pay upfront for the tickets, but once the payment is made, the scammers vanish.
  • When tickets for an event are scarce, fraudsters take advantage of eager fans willing to pay more by falsely claiming to have tickets available.
  • Scams often occur in two waves: the first when tickets are released for sale, and again as the event date approaches.

What’s the problem with social media?

More than 90% of reported cases start with fake adverts, posts or listings on Meta-owned platforms, with the vast majority on Facebook.

Numerous unofficial groups have been set up, many with tens of thousands of members, dedicated to buying and selling tickets for the Oasis tour.

 

Liz Ziegler, Fraud Prevention Director, Lloyds, said:

“The Oasis tour is the latest target for ticket scammers, with millions of pounds of fans’ money stolen before the gigs even kick off.

“The fact that so many cases start with fake listings on social media, often in violation of the platforms’ own rules, underscores the importance of these companies taking stronger action to tackle scams.  

“It’s vital that consumers feel empowered to shop safely online. Buying directly from reputable, authorised retailers is the only way to guarantee you’re paying for a genuine ticket. 

“If you’re asked to pay via bank transfer, particularly by a seller you’ve found on social media, that should immediately set alarm bells ringing.”

 

How can you buy tickets safely?

  • Stick to trusted retailers – Always purchase tickets from reputable, official ticket-selling (or reselling) platforms. Be cautious when dealing with third-party sellers.
  • Take care on social media – Remember that you can’t always verify if a user profile or ticket listing is genuine. Fraudsters can easily create fake ads, even using images of real tickets.
  • Avoid deals that look too good to be true – If a ticket is being sold at an unusually low price or for a sold-out event, it’s a red flag. Always ask yourself if the deal seems realistic.
  • Use a secure payment method – Pay with your debit or credit card, as this provides more protection for your money. PayPal is also a safer alternative compared to bank transfers (when you use the ‘Goods and Services’ option).

 

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