Fraudsters claim to rep Aerosmith and Pearl Jam

Fraudsters have attempted to scam promoters by posing as representatives of Aerosmith and Pearl Jam in a fake email scam. The would-be fraudsters claim to be from International Talent Booking (ITB) and they sent out circulars saying they are representing and booking a Pearl Jam and Down tours for 2015, and more recently an Aerosmith tour for 2016.

In response, ITB has issued a warning to promoters, urging them to disregard the emails, which claim to be from ITB agent Lucy Dickins. “They have stolen our logo and address from the internet and are posing as ITB to scam money off unsuspecting promoters, going to the extent of sending fake riders and contracts and attempting to collect deposits,” said the firm in a statement.

The agent for both Pearl Jam and Aerosmith is Rod MacSween, and for Down is Mike Dewdney, both at ITB.

ITB can be called on 0207 6376979 (ask for Diana in Rod MacSween’s office):  the company’s website is at itb.co.uk.

http://www.musicweek.com/news/read/warning-for-promoters-after-fake-aerosmith-and-pearl-jam-email-scam/063597

Viagogo publishes top 10 'scammed' UK shows

A new report from secondary ticketing website Viagogo, titled Scam Nation 2013, says that up to 4.7 million people paid for non-existent tickets last year, of which about a quarter probably never got their money back with fraudsters pocketing £50 million. The new report, based on a survey of 2000 consumers and some estimates about average ticket prices, echoes that issued by the London Metropolitan Police in February which also raised concerns about the growth in ticket fraud in the internet age who p/ut the loss to consumers at £40 million. Of the 4.7 million tickets fraudulently sold in 2012, Viagogo says music events accounted for the highest number, followed by comedy, theatre, football and rugby in that order. The report also reckons in the region of 240,000 fake tickets for Olympic events were sold. 

The top 10 scammed events were:

1. Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto Tour
2. Rolling Stones - 50th Anniversary Tour
3. One Direction - Take Me Home Tour
4. V Festival 2012
5. Jay Z and Kanye West - Watch The Throne Tour
6. Bruce Springsteen UK Tour
7. Stone Roses - Reunion Tour
8. Madonna - MDNA Tour
9. Michael McIntyre - Showtime! Tour
10. One Man Two Guvnors