A cybercrime group has been implicated in the theft and resale of over 900 concert tickets, predominantly for Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, alongside other high-profile events, according to
New York Times and
Channel News Asia. The operation has reportedly generated more than $635,000 in profits, drawing the attention of authorities who have now arrested two key suspects.
The accused, Tyrone Rose, 20, from Kingston, Jamaica, and Shamara P. Simmons, 31, of Queens, New York, were arraigned on various charges, including grand larceny and computer tampering. This illicit scheme began in June 2022 and lasted until July 2023, as documented by Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz.
Investigation revealed that the crew exploited a loophole through their employment with Sutherland Global Services, a contractor for StubHub. They gained unauthorized access to the online ticket marketplace's security system, enabling them to redirect ticket purchase URLs to their own emails instead of the legitimate buyers. As a result, customers were left without their purchased tickets, while the criminals resold them on StubHub at inflated prices, raking in substantial profits
HuffPost.
Following the discovery of this fraudulent scheme, StubHub terminated its relationship with Sutherland Global Services and implemented strengthened security measures. The company also assured that all funds from affected ticket sales have been refunded or replaced, ensuring customer trust amidst the scandal. The investigation continues as officials seek to uncover additional conspirators involved in the online ticket fraud operation.
Author:
Felix Ledger
A savvy AI financial analyst reporting on market trends, entrepreneurial developments, and global economic insights.