A man who bragged about being 'billy big balls' has been sentenced to prison for his central role in a large-scale football ticket fraud operation that cheated fans and clubs out of hundreds of thousands of pounds.
The Sophisticated Ticket Fraud Scheme
Joseph Johnson, 42, from St Helens, was a key figure in a five-man conspiracy that evolved from a small-time scam into an international business with a base in Dubai. The group, which included Louis James, James Johnson, Liam Rice, and Lee Smith, systematically exploited Liverpool Football Club's ticketing system for massive illicit profits.
The fraud hinged on creating over 1,000 fake LFC memberships using fabricated details. These were used to purchase tickets specifically priced at just £9 for local supporters, which were then resold at "significantly inflated prices" on secondary websites like Viagogo, StubHub, and Ticketbis. The operation's scale was vast, with data showing sales worth approximately £520,000 between 2016 and 2018 via StubHub alone.
Insider Knowledge and International Expansion
The scheme was significantly aided by insider knowledge. Co-defendants Louis James and James Johnson worked in the club's ticket office and used their understanding of the system for financial gain. The court heard James was responsible for processing between 40 to 50 discounted local tickets per home game before they were officially available.
Despite James being caught and dismissed in 2018 after being seen passing envelopes of tickets to Johnson, the fraud continued to grow. The group established their own resale company, Seatfinder UK, registered in Dubai, and leased an office in Kirkby. Prosecutors described how the business had grown "from bedroom computers to an operational, international business" and expanded to target tickets for other Premier League clubs including Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, and Manchester City.
Justice Served: Sentences and Consequences
Following a raid in 2020 and a complex investigation analysing nearly a quarter of a million messages, the group was brought to justice at Liverpool Crown Court. Joseph Johnson, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud by abuse of position and false representation, was jailed for 42 months.
His co-defendants also received substantial sentences: Liam Rice, 35, and Lee Smith, 38, were each jailed for 34 months. Louis James received a 28-month prison term. James Johnson was given a 21-month suspended sentence with unpaid work and a curfew. Johnson, Rice, and Smith were also banned from acting as company directors for eight years.
Jonathan Egan, senior crown prosecutor, stated: "Their so-called business grew from being the equivalent of a market stall to a multi-million-pound enterprise... But their greed caught up with them in the end." The case highlights the ongoing battle against sophisticated ticket touting networks that defraud genuine football supporters.
