Oasis ticket scam warning as fans lose up to £1,000 - four tips to avoid fraud

Fans of Mancunian band Oasis are being targeted by heartless scammers, making up around 70% of all reported concert ticket scams since August 27, new analysis has claimed

Oasis fans are being targeted by ticket fraud, new research has found.

Analysis by Lloyds Bank of scam reports made by its own customers found there were hundreds of fraud claims in the first month since the reunion was announced, with Oasis fans making up around 70% of all reported concert ticket scams since August 27.

Victims are losing £346 on average, though some people have seen up to £1,000 stolen. Those aged 35 to 44-years old-were most likely to be targeted by the ticket fraudsters, making up almost a third of all cases said Lloyds.

Over 90% of reported cases started with fake adverts or posts on social media, with the vast majority originating on Facebook, which includes Facebook Marketplace. A simple search of Facebook revealed numerous unofficial groups have been set up dedicated to buying and selling tickets for the Oasis tour, many boasting tens of thousands of members.

This is despite Meta’s own commerce policy stating that the sale of concert tickets is “not allowed” on the platform. Liz Ziegler, fraud prevention Director at Lloyds, said: “Predictably fraudsters wasted no time in targeting loyal Oasis fans as they scrambled to pick up tickets for next year’s must-see reunion tour.

“The fact that so many cases start with fake listings on social media, often in violation of the platforms’ own rules, underscores the importance of these companies taking stronger action to tackle scams. Buying directly from reputable, authorised retailers is the only way to guarantee you’re paying for a genuine ticket. If you’re asked to pay via bank transfer, particularly by a seller you’ve found on social media, that should immediately set alarm bells ringing.”

Oasis themselves have warned fans against buying resale tickets from companies other than its promoter, as those tickets will not be valid. The Mancunian band's reunion tour, the first since 2009, is a hot ticket and saw thousands of fans left disappointed after they waited in online queues for up to 10 hours but then were kicked off booking websites with error messages.

Oasis and ticketing site Ticketmaster were also criticised for employinng dynamic pricing, where ticket prices rose in line with demand. For example, a general admission standing ticket for the Manchester shows was expected to cost £150 but ended up costing £355.

The Oasis reunion tour in the UK will begin on July 4 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.

Top tips to safely buy concert tickets

1. Stick to trusted retailers. Always purchase tickets from reputable, official ticket-selling (or reselling) platforms. Exercise caution when dealing with third-party sellers.

2. Be cautious on social media – Remember that you can’t always verify if a user profile or ticket listing is genuine. Fraudsters can easily create fake ads, even using images of real tickets.

3. Avoid deals that look too good to be true – If a ticket is being sold at an unusually low price or for a sold-out event, it’s a red flag. Always ask yourself if the deal seems realistic.

4. Use a secure payment method – Pay with your debit or credit card, as this provides more protection for your money. PayPal is also a safer alternative compared to bank transfers.