Con artists are taking advantage of social media, with police saying the majority of these ploys are being carried out on marketplace platforms rather rather than legitimate online retailers
Oasis fans have been warned by the police to be vigilant of ticket scammers looking to music lovers wanting to catch the Gallagher brothers on stage this summer.
The Britpop band, who split in 2009 prompted by a backstage brawl at the Rock en Seine festival, confirmed their long-awaited reunion in August 2024 as Noel and Liam Gallagher finally ended their feud.
When tickets went on sale for the UK and Ireland shows, some standard tickets more than doubled from £148 to £355, which was blamed on “unprecedented demand”. There was outrage from fans and the controversy prompted the Government and the UK’s competition watchdog to pledge they would look at the use of dynamic pricing.
Those who missed out on grabbing tickets, or refused to accept dynamic pricing, may now be currently looking to book their space in the crowd for the reunion gigs later this year via resale accounts. However, police have warned about the risk of ticket scammers after more than 400 incidents of online ticket fraud were reported last year.
Police Scotland said there were 422 reports of fraud involving online ticket sales for major events across Scotland in 2024. The highest number of incidents in one month – 51 – was reported in May. The force said 80% of reported incidents last year involved tickets advertised on Facebook and 38% stemmed from hacked social media accounts. Police said scammers often send an email or message offering tickets for a high demand or sold-out event at “too good to be true” prices.
Detective Inspector Alasdair Penny, cybercrime harm prevention unit, said on Monday: “We are aware of a number of highly anticipated events this summer including Trnsmt festival in July and the Oasis reunion tour in August.”
Offering some tips, as the tour draws close the DI said: “We want to make sure the public is aware of how to spot potential fraudulent sales. Be vigilant. If a price or offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Before purchasing, carefully review the ticket details for accurate event information, including the date, time, and venue.
“Pay attention to the seating section or assigned seats, which can indicate fraudulent tickets. Buy from legitimate sources, check bank details provided and use secure payment methods. Credit cards and reputable online payment platforms offer additional protection against fraudulent transactions.
“Avoid paying with cash, wire transfers, or unsecured payment methods. Please report any fraudulent activity to police. We will fully investigate, and we work alongside partners to raise awareness and tackle those involved in such offences.”
Oasis, who split more than 15 years ago and released their chart-topping album Definitely Maybe about three decades ago, will first take to the stage for two performances at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
The UK and Ireland tour will also visit Manchester’s Heaton Park, Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium, Dublin’s Croke Park and seven nights at Wembley Stadium.
The band are also travelling to Japan, South Korea, South America, Australia, America, Mexico and Canada as part of their tour.
Oasis, who signed to independent record label Creation Records in 1993, soared to fame after they released their debut chart-topping album Definitely Maybe on August 29 1994. They had hits with songs including Champagne Supernova, Wonderwall, Supersonic and Live Forever.
Brothers Liam and Noel had been known to get into arguments over the years, but things reached breaking point at a French festival when Liam began swinging around a guitar. Noel quit the rock group on August 28 2009, saying he “simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer”.
The summer tour offers fans the first chance to see the band on stage since the epic fallout. Tickets sold out fast, with hospitality packages – that include premium seating, gourmet dining and VIP access – at Wembley for the July and August dates also being sold out by eager fans.
Mark Lynch, Wembley Stadium Director, said: “Last year was a special one for Wembley with just over 2.9 million people attending all our events. 2025 promises to be even bigger and one of the busiest seasons ever in Wembley’s long and illustrious history.
“We have a schedule of events throughout the year, with an extended window for concerts this summer running through right up until the end of September. Throughout that period, we expect to welcome more than 2 million guests for the first time in Wembley Stadium’s history.
Last year Wembley Stadium hosted 40 major events, attended by 2.9 million people. This included the Taylor Swift Eras Tour shows, a UEFA Champions League Final, Capital’s Summertime Ball and performances from music icons Bruce Springsteen, AC/DC and Green Day.
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