A cybercrime group stole and resold over 900 digital tickets for Taylor Swift concerts and other high-profile events, making more than $600,000 in illicit profits, according to New York prosecutors.
How the Ticket Scam Worked
The scheme involved individuals working for a third-party contractor hired by StubHub, the online ticket marketplace. According to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, these contractors, based in Jamaica, illegally accessed ticket URLs purchased on StubHub. They then forwarded the stolen URLs to accomplices in New York, who downloaded and resold the tickets at inflated prices.
Events Targeted
While most of the stolen tickets were for Swift’s highly sought-after Eras Tour, criminals also targeted tickets for Adele and Ed Sheeran concerts, NBA games, and the U.S. Open Tennis Championships.
Ongoing Investigation & Arrests
Authorities are still uncovering the full scope of the operation. However, two suspects, Tyrone Rose, 20, and Shamara Simmons, 31, have been arrested and charged with grand larceny, computer tampering, and conspiracy.
Rose, who operated from Jamaica, allegedly redirected ticket purchases to Simmons and another accomplice in Queens. He was apprehended while visiting New York and was ordered to surrender his passport. Both defendants pleaded not guilty and were released pending their next court appearance.
StubHub’s Response
StubHub discovered the fraud, reported it to law enforcement, and terminated its contract with the third-party customer service vendor involved. The company also enhanced its security measures and fully refunded or replaced all affected ticket purchases.
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