Man charged over fake tickets to Ed Sheeran’s Brisbane concerts

QUEENSLAND Police have charged a 33-year-old man over the online sale of non-existent tickets to Ed Sheeran’s upcoming Brisbane concerts – and they say there could be could be a whole lot more who were scammed.

FAKE tickets to Ed Sheeran’s Brisbane shows were being sold for $250 to potentially dozens of unwitting victims, Queensland Police allege.

A 33-year-old Underwood man was on Friday charged with two counts of fraud following a State Crime Command investigation.

Police allege the man stole identities and set up bank accounts in a scam that lured fans wanting tickets to Sheeran’s sold-out gigs next week.

The charges relate to two woman – aged 40 and 55, from the Brisbane and the Gold Coast – who transferred money to the man yet allegedly never got tickets.

Police have heard from a further five possible victims and believe there could be “dozens” more with further charges expected.

Queensland Police have charged a man with fraud over the alleged sale of fake tickets to next week’s Ed Sheeran concerts in Brisbane.

“He does come across as somebody who’s experienced in this field, someone who’s engaged the public in respect of various other scams, so it’s hard to tell whether he’s done it just for the Ed Sheeran concert,” Sgt Alex Dmitrovic said.

Police stumbled upon the alleged ticketing scam after raiding the man’s home for separate fraud matters in February.

Detective Superintendent Terry Lawrence said scammers preyed on fans desperate to get a seat in front of their idols.

“People have an emotional investment in this sort of thing because they want to see their star,” he said.

“This is how crooks are using those sites to then trick people and victimise them into giving away their hard earned dollars and not getting to see their favourite entertainer.”

He urged fans to only used authorised ticketing agents.

LIVESTREAM: Detective Superintendent Terry Lawrence will speak about this arrest shortly. https://t.co/MlFGWZgn9p

— Queensland Police (@QldPolice) March 16, 2018

One of the charges relates to the man allegedly using a stolen identity to facilitate fraudulent transactions.

“That person was quite surprised to learn that his identity’s being used out there without his knowledge, to his detriment,” Sgt Dmitrovic said.

The man’s bank account has been frozen but so far victims have not received their money back.

“The disappointment continues, the fact they won’t be able to see Ed Sheeran,” Sgt Dmitrovic said.

Suncorp Stadium, where Sheeran will play, praised the arrest.

“Scalping (is) a scourge perpetrated by greedy people against generally innocent fans,” a spokesman said.

The man has been charged with two offences of Fraud and is due to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on 3 April 2018 and investigations are continuing.