With the Six Nations championship concluding on 14th March, and the Carabao Cup final approaching on 22nd March, fans across the UK are gearing up for a packed year of major sporting moments. From domestic football finals to global tournaments like the upcoming FIFA World Cup, demand for tickets to these events are rising.
But cybersecurity experts warn that the rush to secure tickets for major sporting events can also create the perfect conditions for online scams.
When tickets sell out quickly, eager fans often turn to resale sites, social media listings, or unfamiliar sellers in the hope of securing a seat. With fans eager to see their team lift a trophy or qualify for tournaments like the FIFA World Cup, cybercriminals prey on this excitement by posting fake ticket listings and promoting “too-good-to-be-true” offers designed to trick supporters searching for last-minute seats before kick-off.
With the help of generative AI, scammers can now create highly convincing lookalike websites faster and at greater scale than ever before, making it even harder for fans to spot the difference.
Trend Micro’s latest UK research highlights how easily consumers can fall victim to online scams when searching for deals or buying from unfamiliar sellers:
- When the warning comes too late: 22% of scam victims only realised they had been scammed when their purchase never arrived, while just 18% say they were alerted by their bank or credit card company.
- Scams hiding in plain sight: email (49%) and social media (25%) are among the most common places where Brits say they encounter suspected scams online.
- 37% of UK consumers admit they would buy from a brand or retailer they’ve never heard of if the price was right, making it easier for scammers to succeed with their schemes.
- Low concern levels: only 8% of UK respondents say they are very concerned about being targeted by online scams, despite the increasing sophistication of cybercriminals.
Lynette Owens, Vice President Consumer Marketing & Education at Trend Micro urges fans to stay vigilant when buying tickets online:
- Start with official sources
Always begin with the club, venue, or tournament’s official website and purchase through authorised ticket sellers. Avoid buying tickets from unknown individuals or links shared on social media. - Be cautious of “too-good-to-be-true” deals
If someone claims to have premium seats for a sold-out match at a bargain price, it’s likely a scam. Fraudsters rely on urgency and excitement to stop fans from double-checking. - Verify before you click
Scammers frequently advertise tickets through emails, social media posts, or text messages. Instead of clicking the link directly, visit the official site yourself to confirm the offer is legitimate. - Watch for fake websites
Some fraudulent sites are designed to look almost identical to official ticketing platforms. Check the web address carefully and look for secure “https” connections before entering payment details. - Use security tools to spot scams early
Cybercriminals are increasingly using AI to make scams more convincing. Security tools that detect suspicious links, messages, and websites can provide an extra layer of protection before a scam unfolds.
If a deal seems too good to be true, it usually is. When it comes to buying tickets online, the best defence is caution.
