Ticket site Viagogo urged to turn in con artist clients – or face music themselves

Viagogo Urged to Report Con Artists or Face Consequences

Ticket resale platform Viagogo has been under pressure to disclose the con artists defrauding Scottish fans on their site or risk facing repercussions themselves. The issue surfaced after the Daily Record uncovered a series of scams targeting live music fans on the platform. Thousands of “spec” tickets, which are sold illegally, were found listed on Viagogo. While some listings were removed, many remained available for purchase.

“Spec selling” involves individuals selling tickets they do not possess, leading to fraudulent transactions. Experts have highlighted the prevalence of such illegal activities on Viagogo, questioning the platform’s effectiveness in addressing them. With the UK government contemplating a crackdown on ticket resales, Viagogo faces increased scrutiny to ensure compliance with the law.

Reg Walker, a leading ticket fraud expert, emphasised the urgency for Viagogo to collaborate with law enforcement agencies in monitoring and preventing fraudulent activities on their platform. Failure to take appropriate action could raise concerns about Viagogo’s complicity in enabling such scams to persist.

The recent revelations underscore the need for tighter regulations in the ticket resale industry. Viagogo’s reluctance to fully address these issues has sparked criticism from consumer advocacy groups. The ongoing battle against ticket touting highlights the importance of transparency and accountability within the secondary ticketing market to protect consumers from falling victim to scams.

In conclusion, the case of Viagogo sheds light on the challenges faced by authorities in regulating the ticket resale industry. Concert-goers must remain vigilant and cautious when purchasing tickets from secondary markets to avoid being duped by unscrupulous individuals. Concert venues, event organisers, and ticket platforms must work together to ensure a fair and secure ticketing environment for all music fans.