Viagogo Scam UK: How to Spot Fake Ticket Sellers and Protect Your Money
Scammers are using Viagogo's reputation to steal thousands from UK ticket buyers — here's exactly how to stay safe.
What is this scam?
The Viagogo scam exploits the popularity of Viagogo, a real secondary ticket marketplace, by creating fake versions of the platform or impersonating sellers. Scammers either build replica websites that look identical to the genuine Viagogo site, or they contact buyers on the real platform posing as legitimate sellers with suspiciously cheap tickets. Once a buyer commits to purchase, the scammer requests payment via bank transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards — methods that are impossible to reverse. They then either disappear entirely or send fake confirmation emails and delivery updates, never providing the actual tickets. This scam is particularly effective because Viagogo itself has a reputation for variable pricing and occasional legitimate deals, which makes the fraudulent offers seem believable. UK victims often don't realise they've been scammed until the event date arrives and they have no entry tickets.
Warning signs to look for
- The website URL is slightly different from viagogo.com — look for .co.uk variants, extra words, or misspellings like viag0go or viagoogo.
- Prices are suspiciously low — 50-70% below market rate for in-demand events with no clear reason given.
- The seller insists on payment methods that can't be reversed: bank transfer, Google Play cards, iTunes vouchers, or cryptocurrency.
- Communication is poor quality: repeated grammar errors, odd phrasing, or responses that don't match your questions.
- The seller pressures you to complete the transaction quickly, claiming other buyers are interested or stock is limited.
- Payment requests come before you can verify the seller's identity or see secured buyer protection terms.
- The confirmation email looks professionally designed but contains generic greetings or doesn't reference your specific booking details.
- The seller asks for personal information beyond what's needed (passport number, mother's maiden name, security questions).
How this scam works step by step
The scam typically begins when you search for tickets to a popular UK event — a concert, football match, or festival. You find what appears to be a Viagogo listing (either on a fake website or via a real Viagogo seller profile) offering tickets at an unusually attractive price. You click through and are prompted to enter your email address and payment details. If it's a fake website, your data is harvested immediately. If it's a fake seller on the real site, they communicate outside the official system via email or phone. The scammer then requests payment via bank transfer, asking you to send money directly to an account (often in a different country). Some variants ask you to buy gift cards and provide the codes. A few hours later, you receive a fake confirmation email with a booking reference that looks authentic. The scammer may even send you a fake PDF 'ticket' or entry code. When you try to use your tickets at the event, you discover they're invalid or don't exist. By this point, the scammer has deleted their profile and closed the receiving bank account. Your money is gone, and Viagogo's buyer protection either doesn't cover you or takes months to investigate.
How to verify if it is genuine
Always start by checking the website URL carefully — genuine Viagogo is viagogo.com only. Type the address directly into your browser rather than clicking email links. On the real site, verify the seller's rating by clicking their profile; legitimate sellers have hundreds of reviews with consistent positive feedback and verified transaction history. If buying directly from a seller, move the conversation back to Viagogo's official messaging system — scammers will resist this and may claim technical issues. Check Viagogo's official customer service contact (help.viagogo.com) and compare any contact details you've received against this. Never accept payment requests outside the Viagogo platform. Before paying, use our guide on /guides/is-this-website-a-scam/ to verify the site's legitimacy. Look up the event's official ticketing partners — most major UK venues and promoters only sell through authorised channels like Ticketmaster, See Tickets, or the venue box office. If the deal seems too good to be true, contact the event organiser directly to confirm Viagogo is an authorised reseller.
What to do if you have already interacted
If you've visited a suspicious Viagogo site but didn't pay, stop immediately and do not enter further details. Clear your browser cache and run a malware scan using Windows Defender (free) or Malwarebytes. Change your passwords for any accounts accessed from that device. If you paid via bank transfer, contact your bank immediately — provide them with all transaction details and the receiving account information. Most UK banks can attempt to recall the payment within 24 hours if reported quickly. If payment was made via gift card codes, contact the card issuer (Google Play, Apple, Amazon) with proof of purchase; some will cancel the codes if you act within hours. Document everything: save email addresses, seller names, transaction records, and the fake website URL. Do not send any further money if the scammer makes follow-up contact claiming fees are needed to release your tickets. Report your case to Action Fraud using the details below. If your personal information (address, phone, bank details) was compromised, register for free fraud monitoring with Experian or Equifax to watch for identity theft.
Reporting this scam in the UK
Report the scam immediately to Action Fraud, the UK's national fraud reporting centre, either online at actionfraud.police.uk or by phone on 0300 123 2040. Have your transaction reference, the scammer's email address or seller account, and the fake website URL ready. Forward any suspicious emails to the NCSC (National Cyber Security Centre) Suspicious Email Reporting Service at report@phishing.gov.uk — this helps them block similar phishing sites. If you received contact via SMS, forward the message to 7726 (Spam). Report the fake seller profile or website directly to Viagogo itself using their 'Report' button on the listing or seller profile page; include screenshots as evidence. Contact Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 for free guidance on your rights and next steps, especially if you've lost significant money. If you paid via your bank, your bank may also file a report with financial crime authorities on your behalf. Keep copies of all correspondence and your Action Fraud reference number, as you may need it for insurance claims or further investigation.
Frequently asked questions
Is Viagogo itself legitimate, or is the entire platform a scam?
Viagogo is a real, legitimate secondary ticket marketplace operating in the UK since 2006. However, like any online marketplace, it's used by scammers to list fake tickets or create counterfeit seller profiles. The scam isn't Viagogo itself — it's individual fraudsters exploiting the platform's trust. Always verify sellers directly on the real Viagogo website and use their built-in buyer protection.
I've already sent money to a Viagogo scammer — can I get it back?
If you paid by bank transfer, contact your bank immediately — they can attempt recovery within 24 hours. If it's been longer, recovery is much harder but still possible; your bank can file a chargeback claim. If you paid by gift card, contact the card issuer (Apple, Google, Amazon) immediately with proof of purchase. Report to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 and obtain your reference number for insurance or legal claims. Unfortunately, if the money has already been moved or withdrawn, recovery is difficult but reporting is essential for tracking serial scammers.
What should I do if a Viagogo seller is asking me to pay outside the Viagogo platform?
Do not proceed — this is a major red flag. Legitimate Viagogo sellers complete transactions within the platform because Viagogo offers buyer protection. If a seller asks you to pay via email bank transfer, gift cards, or any method outside Viagogo, they are almost certainly a scammer. Report them immediately to Viagogo and block all contact. Use only Viagogo's official payment system.
How do I report a Viagogo scam?
Report to Action Fraud online at actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040 — provide your transaction details and the scammer's information. Report the seller or fake website directly to Viagogo using their 'Report' button. Forward suspicious emails to the NCSC at report@phishing.gov.uk. Report the seller to Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133 if you need additional support. Keep all documentation for your records and any potential insurance claim.