UPDATE 25/9/21: Consumer Protection officers attended the AFL Grand Final venue Optus Stadium to assist consumers who turned up to entry gates/box office with fake tickets purchased online and were therefore denied entry. There were five individuals or groups with a total of 12 fake tickets and $6,600 in losses. All were either purchased on Gumtree or eBay. 

UPDATE 24/9/21: Six people have reported losing a total of $3,795 in AFL Grand Final ticket scams. A total of 50 advertisements offering tickets in breach of the new WA scalping laws have been removed: 26 from Gumtree, 14 from eBay and 10 from social media.

• Five people lose a total of $3,395 after trying to buy AFL Grand Final tickets
• Warning that scammers will prey on desperate fans in next few days
• 26 ticket scalping ads that breached new laws removed

Five WA footy fans have lost money after being stung by scammers selling fake online tickets to this Saturday’s AFL Grand Final.

Three fans paid $1,000 for 4 tickets, $375 for two tickets and a $120 deposit for two tickets after posting a ‘tickets wanted’ advertisement on Gumtree. The tickets were never delivered and promises of a refund of the deposit have not eventuated.

Two other scam victims paid $1,500 for seven tickets and $400 for two tickets that were advertised on Gumtree but never received the tickets.

Commissioner for Consumer Protection Gary Newcombe said scammers will prey on footy fans desperate to attend the AFL Grand Final.

“With only a few days left to sell fake tickets, scammers will ramp up their attempts to rip off those who still hold out hopes of getting a ticket to the big event.

“We strongly urge consumers to exercise extreme caution before handing over money for tickets being sold online.”

Consumer Protection is also cracking down on people who are selling tickets at inflated prices in breach of WA’s new ticket scalping laws that came into effect on Friday 10 September 2021.

Consumer Protection compliance officers have been monitoring seven ticket re-selling sites as well as popular classified advertising sites such as Gumtree, eBay and Facebook Marketplace.

“So far 26 advertisements offering AFL Grand Final tickets and suspected of breaking the laws have been identified - 22 on Gumtree and four on eBay,” the Commissioner said.

“The sites have been cooperative in removing the ads as soon as advised, and may have removed others proactively. 

“Messages have also been sent via the platforms to the 25 individual sellers, advising them of the new laws and warning that they could face prosecution if they continue to on-sell the tickets for more than the allowed 10 per cent mark-up or don't reveal the exact location of the seats.

“Consumer Protection recommends at all times to buy tickets for major events and concerts from the authorised selling agent to avoid disappointment.”

Consumers who see AFL tickets being sold online at inflated prices should take a screen shot and contact Consumer Protection by emailing consumer@demirs.wa.gov.au or calling 1300 30 40 54. 

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Media Contact: Alan Hynd, (08) 6552 9248 / 0429 078 791 / alan.hynd@demirs.wa.gov.au  

Image courtesy of Optus Stadium