Scammers are increasingly utilising AI technology to target concert-goers and sports fans during summer events, with major occasions like the Paris Olympics and Taylor Swift concerts being prime targets. The use of AI accelerates fraud, particularly in generating convincing scams quickly, as reported by UK Finance’s Annual Fraud Report.
Scammers are increasingly using AI technology to target concert-goers and sports fans, particularly during the summer season. Major events such as the Paris Olympics and Taylor Swift concerts are among the prime targets for counterfeit ticket scams, according to UK Finance’s Annual Fraud Report. The high value of tickets, with prices for the Paris Olympic opening ceremony ranging from €150 to €700, makes them especially appealing for fraudsters.
Doriel Abrahams, principal technologist at Forter, explains that AI accelerates fraud by generating convincing scams quickly. This includes creating social engineering emails, texts, and social media messages that lure desperate consumers into purchasing fake tickets. Forter reports a 6% fraud rate in the ticket sale sector, a figure expected to rise with advancements in AI technology.
Account takeover (ATO) is a common method used by scammers, involving the use of data from breaches, phishing attacks, and social engineering to control users’ accounts. This stolen information is often sold on the dark web, allowing fraudsters to make numerous high-value purchases before victims are aware.
Recent incidents, such as the Ticketmaster data breach that affected 500 million customers and the potential sale of 30 million Santander customers’ details, have heightened ATO concerns. Purchase scams, where victims pay for non-existent goods or services, have also escalated, with UK Finance noting a 28% rise reaching £85.9 million in 2024.
With the upcoming Euros and other high-demand events, fans are particularly vulnerable to such scams. Barclays research shows that men are more likely to lose higher amounts of money to ticket fraud, averaging £325 compared to £156 for women.
Experts recommend vigilance and caution when purchasing tickets, advising against bank transfers and suggesting the use of credit cards for additional protection.
