A wave of ticket fraud cases have come before UK courts in recent years, leaving fans out of pocket after paying for non-existent concert and sports tickets. Recent sentencing includes a scammer who swindled victims out of thousands of pounds by selling fake tickets for high-demand concerts like Oasis and Coldplay, and a Facebook-based fraudster who targeted music fans, conning seven people out of more than £5,000.
Steven Cavanagh: Fake Oasis and Coldplay Tickets
Steven Cavanagh, of Croxteth Road in Aigburth, ran a fraud between September 2024 and April 2025 to fund a £300-a-day cocaine addiction. Liverpool Crown Court heard he advertised non-existent concert tickets through friends, family, social groups, and social media, often targeting people he knew personally. One victim flew from the United States to attend an Oasis concert, only to discover the tickets were fake. Investigations identified 34 people defrauded, with Cavanagh pocketing £13,755.60, though he was charged over 17 offences involving £6,880. The court heard emotional impact statements, including a woman who was due to be chief bridesmaid at his wedding. Cavanagh admitted the offences and handed himself in to police twice, citing his drug addiction. He was sentenced to a 14-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work.
Jordan Moore: Taylor Swift Eras Tour Scam
Jordan Moore, 32, of Smithy Lane in Little Sutton, Ellesmere Port, used Facebook and Gumtree to advertise non-existent Taylor Swift tickets for her Eras Tour, which came to the UK in June 2024. He also offered fraudulent greyhound equipment. Chester Crown Court heard Moore targeted fans between November 2023 and March 2025, claiming he was selling tickets due to a “break-up”. He gave buyers temporary access to online accounts before taking them back, leaving victims locked out. One victim, Leona Walsh from Bristol, lost £1,000. Another victim, from Dublin, paid £1,100. Moore pleaded guilty to seven counts of fraud by false representation and was sentenced to 19 months in prison, suspended for two years, along with 100 hours of unpaid work and £3,808 in compensation.
Seatfinder UK: Large-Scale Liverpool FC Ticket Tout Operation
In December 2025, four men were jailed and one handed a suspended sentence for their roles in a large-scale ticketing scam involving Liverpool FC matches. The organised operation saw tickets intended for genuine supporters diverted and resold at heavily inflated prices, with profits running into hundreds of thousands of pounds. Joseph Johnson, described as the “mastermind” behind Seatfinder UK, was sentenced to 54 months in prison. Liam Rice and Lee Smith each received 34 months for their managerial and technical roles. Louis James, a Liverpool FC employee who diverted tickets, was sentenced to 28 months. James Johnson received a 21-month suspended sentence.
Lee Waldron and David Windsor: Fake Champions League Final Tickets
Lee Waldron made nearly £40,000 scamming 20 fans with fake PDF Champions League tickets for the May 2022 final between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid in Paris. At Liverpool Crown Court on January 13, 2025, Waldron was jailed for 21 months after being found guilty of acquiring/using/possessing criminal property. His associate, David Windsor, pleaded guilty to fraud in March 2024 and was also jailed for 21 months.
John Gill: Fake Tickets for Klopp's Final Match
John Gill, from Fazakerley, sold fake tickets to two people outside Anfield ahead of Jürgen Klopp's final game as Liverpool manager on May 19, 2024. The 50-year-old pleaded guilty to fraud after selling tickets for Liverpool's 2-0 victory. He was sentenced to 17 weeks in prison and fined at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on October 15, 2024. Due to high demand, black market prices surged, with some reportedly paying up to £20,000 for Klopp's final match.
