Scam awareness: AFL footy finals ticket scams in Australia

Every year, the lead-up to the AFL footy finals brings excitement and risk. Tickets are scarce, prices soar, and fans are desperate not to miss out. Criminals exploit this emotional urgency by offering “last minute” tickets online. Once the money is sent, the tickets and the seller vanish.

In 2024, Australians lost more than A$26 million to buying and selling scams, with fake tickets among the most common. According to NAB, customers abandoned more than A$160,000 in ticket payments after receiving scam warnings in their banking apps. During the Taylor Swift tour season, that figure reportedly reached A$285,000, showing just how widespread the threat has become.

Globally, the pattern is the same. UK fans lost millions to ticket scams in 2024, with Oasis reunion tickets driving nearly 70% of fraud reports that year. The scale of losses shows that this is not just an Australian problem. Scammers follow the biggest events worldwide.

How ticket scams work

Ticket scams are not always simple “fake sales.” Criminal groups use a variety of tactics:

• Social media swindles: Fake or hacked accounts advertising tickets in fan groups or direct messages. In some cases, scammers even use compromised accounts to target victims’ friends.
• Cloned websites: Look-alike sites that copy real ticket sellers with small spelling or branding differences, tricking buyers into handing over money or personal details.
• Duplicate tickets: Selling the same digital QR code or PDF to multiple buyers. Only the first to scan gets in.
• Phantom events: Entirely fictional festivals or matches promoted with slick websites and urgent marketing.
• Payment pirates: Sellers insisting on cryptocurrency, gift cards, or direct transfers, methods that are fast, irreversible, and leave buyers without recourse.
• QR code cons: Fraudulent codes that lead to phishing sites or install malicious software on your device.

Red flags to watch for

• Tickets offered only through social media or unverified marketplaces.
• Prices that seem too good to be true.
• Sellers refusing secure payments, requesting crypto or gift cards.
• New or anonymous profiles often based overseas.
• Websites with subtle spelling or domain errors.

Why scammers are using cryptocurrencies

Scammers are increasingly requesting cryptocurrency because transactions are rapid, borderless, and difficult to reverse. Once funds leave your wallet, there’s little chance of recovery. At BTC Markets, we want our clients to be alert: if someone asks for crypto in exchange for tickets, treat it as a warning sign.

How to protect yourself

• Buy tickets only from official providers or authorised resale platforms.
• Double-check website addresses before entering payment details.
• Confirm with friends directly if they appear to be “selling” tickets online.
• Avoid posting ticket images on social media, which can be reused by scammers.
• Use secure payment methods, such as credit cards, which may offer more protection.

Banks and payment providers are building more safeguards, but as the Australian Banking Association notes, “your best defence is still customer vigilance.”

What to do if you’ve been targeted

• Stop all contact and don’t send more funds.
• Report suspicious wallet addresses or websites to BTC Markets via our app or website.
• Notify your bank or financial institution immediately.
• Make a report at cyber.gov.au.

BTC Markets’ commitment

At BTC Markets, we monitor for unusual or suspicious activity on our platform and act quickly to prevent further harm. We work closely with regulators such as AUSTRAC, the ACCC, and the Australian Federal Police to help disrupt criminal networks.

Education is central to our approach. By raising awareness, we aim to stop scams before they reach our clients. Scam awareness saves more than money. It protects your future. Learn more at scamwatch.gov.au.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is issued by BTC Markets Pty Ltd (BTC Markets, we, us, our). The information is general only and is not intended to constitute an opinion or recommendation with respect to its contents. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Any reference to past performance is intended to be for general illustrative purposes only. The information cannot be relied upon for any purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice.

The information does not purport to be complete, accurate or contain all of the information that a person may require to make a decision. It may also contain forward looking statements, which are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors. We recommend you obtain professional advice before making any decision with respect to the matters discussed in this document. To the maximum extent permitted by law, BTC Markets will have no liability for any loss or liability of any kind: (i) arising in respect of the information contained (or not contained) on this page; or (ii) arising from a person relying on any information or statement contained on this page. The information provided is only intended for recipients in Australia. This information cannot be reproduced without our prior written permission.