Fans of Liverpool FC are being scammed by ticket fraudsters more than those at any other Premier League club, new figures from NatWest show. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool fans lost more than £17,000 to ticket scam artists in the 2023/24 season, more than any other Premier League club.

Latest figures from banking giant NatWest reveal that, on average, Premier League fans who are victims of ticket scammers are losing more than £180 per incident. For Liverpool supporters the average rises to £235.

One Reds fan lost £850 in a single scam but the worst case was suffered by an Arsenal supporter who was fleeced out of £900.

NatWest League of Ticket Scams is based on the volumes and value of actual cases reported to the bank. Liverpool fans lost more than £17,000 to criminals followed by Arsenal fans who lost £12,000.

Ticket scams often originate on social media sites including Facebook Marketplace. Fans will be asked to transfer the money in advance and then the ticket either doesn’t materialise or fans are sent fake tickets, often only discovered at the turnstiles.

As the end of the season approached, April was the month the most amount of money was lost by fans with £9,925.50 stolen by criminals.

Stuart Skinner, head of fraud prevention at NatWest, said: “As the new season kicks off we urge customers to be extra vigilant and stay safe from criminals who are exploiting fans’ devotion to their club.

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“We estimate the actual value of ticket scams is potentially much higher but not all of the scams are reported. Social media platforms need to give a red card to the fraudsters using them to exploit people’s passion for football.”

NatWest offers eight tips to minimise the risk of being scammed:

• Buy from official sources: Always purchase tickets directly from the official team website, authorised ticket vendors, or well-known and reputable resale platforms.
• Verify the seller: If buying from a secondary market or an individual seller, do thorough research. Check their reputation through reviews and ratings.
• Be Wary of too-good-to-be-true deals: Scammers often lure buyers with prices that are significantly lower than the market rate.
• Check ticket details: Before making a purchase, carefully examine the ticket details. Ensure the date, time, venue, and seating information are accurate. Be cautious of vague or incomplete information which could indicate a fraudulent ticket.
• Use secure payment methods: Avoid paying with cash or bank transfers.
• Look for secure websites: When purchasing tickets online, ensure the website is secure. Look for https:// in the URL and a padlock icon in the address bar.
• Beware of social media scams: Be cautious of ads or sellers on social media.
• Report suspected scams: If you encounter a suspected scam, report it your bank and the police immediately.