The 2018 FIFA World Cup, which takes place from 14 June – 15 July will hopefully provide a festival of great sport and entertainment and a memorable event for millions. But it is also an opportunity for fraudsters to take advantage of unsuspecting fans.
Tickets for the World Cup 2018 can only be purchased directly from FIFA (www.FIFA.com/tickets).
But scammers will offer tickets, flights, accommodation etc. to fans desperate to make the trip and see the football Live. Most people know that buying tickets from anyone but FIFA is a risk, but many will do so.
For the last world cup in 2014, over 600 reports were made to Action Fraud regarding fake tickets and more.
The worldwide demand for match tickets, accommodation and flight tickets throughout the competition is expected to be very high.
Fraudsters will typically:-
- Pretend to be Official World Cup ticket vendors
- Place adverts claiming to be private individuals attempting to sell on a match ticket
- Setup fake websites offering non-existent flights or other transport to host cities
- Create fake accommodation booking services and hotels offering seemingly convenient accommodation in one of the host cities for the dates of the games
- Make fake lotteries or competitions claiming that you’ve won a prize or cash related to the tournament
Director of Action Fraud, Pauline Smith, said that fraudsters will try every trick in the book to take advantage of people at what should be an exciting time and event. “If you think you have been a victim of fraud, report it to Action Fraud.”
FIFA has warned people:-
“FIFA regards the illicit sale and distribution of tickets as a very serious issue and it is reminding all football fans that FIFA.com/tickets is the only official and legitimate website from which to buy 2018 FIFA World Cup tickets. For hospitality tickets the online official source is: https://hospitality.fifa.com/hospitality2018.
“FIFA has received various complaints and inquiries by customers of non-authorised ticket sales platforms, and has consistently confirmed that these companies cannot guarantee access to the stadiums as the respective tickets may be cancelled. Customers are at risk of investing a high amount of money (also for travelling and accommodation) without having the certainty of actually being able to attend the matches.”
A FAN ID and a valid ticket are required for fans to be able to enter the 2018 FIFA World Cup stadiums. For more information, please visit www.fan-id.ru.
Buy tickets only from the venue’s box office, sports club, promoter, official agent or reputable ticket exchange sites
Remember that tickets advertised on any other source such as auction sites, social media and fan forums may be fake or non-existent, however authentic the seller may seem and even if they’re advertised at or above face value
Never pay for tickets by bank transfer, even if you’re desperate to get hold of them. With the abolition of credit card payment surcharges, some sellers may ask you do this. The responsibility for losses lies with you, your bank won’t refund your money.
If you have any experiences with scammers, spammers or time-waster do let me know, by email.
