Oasis fans have been conned out of more than £2 million in ticket scams since the legendary band’s reunion tour tickets went on sale, according to new figures from Lloyds Banking Group.
In what is shaping up to be one of the biggest ticket fraud scandals of the year, the bank revealed that Oasis fans now account for more than half (56%) of all reported concert ticket scams in 2025 so far. Victims have lost an average of £436 each — almost £200 more than the typical concert scam loss.
The largest single loss reported by a Lloyds customer was more than £1,700, suggesting some fans are forking out significantly over the odds in desperation to see the Britpop icons live.
Lloyds said it has recorded over 1,000 scam cases since the ticket scramble began last summer. Based on its market share, the bank estimates there have likely been over 5,000 victims UK-wide, with a total estimated loss exceeding £2 million.
“Scammers are exploiting the excitement around the Oasis reunion to steal money from devoted fans,” said Liz Ziegler, fraud prevention director at Lloyds. “It’s heartbreaking to see so many being duped, often by fraudsters lurking in social media groups or messaging apps.”
Purchase scams occur when victims are tricked into transferring money for goods — in this case, tickets — that simply don’t exist. Lloyds’ data showed most scams are being fuelled by fake adverts and social media posts offering tickets at discounted prices or inflated rates for sold-out events.
The bank said scams often come in waves: first, when tickets initially go on sale, and again closer to the concert date as demand and scarcity soar.
Social media platforms were also called out by Lloyds for failing to properly police fraudulent activity. “Many of these scams start with fake listings on social media,” said Ziegler. “These platforms need to take stronger action to prevent scammers from targeting users in breach of their own rules.”
The most affected age group are those aged 35–44, making up nearly a third (30%) of victims — reflecting Oasis’s fanbase of Gen Xers and older millennials with money to spend and nostalgia to indulge.
Geographically, Lloyds identified ten cities and towns where victims are most commonly based. Edinburgh tops the list, followed by Warrington, Manchester, Newcastle, and Sheffield. Also on the list are Glasgow, Nottingham, Birmingham, Plymouth and Newport.
Consumer experts are warning fans to avoid deals that look too good to be true.
Lisa Webb, a consumer rights expert at Which?, said: “High-profile events like the Oasis reunion are a magnet for scammers. Always buy from authorised sellers, and never pay via bank transfer — if someone insists, walk away.”
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Guy Anker, from Compare the Market, urged fans to use credit cards where possible, as purchases over £100 may be protected under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. “Scammers thrive in the chaos of sold-out shows,” he said. “Avoid disappointment by sticking to official ticketing platforms.”
Lloyds’ tips for buying tickets safely:
- Use trusted retailers: Stick to well-known and reputable ticketing platforms.
- Be wary on social media: Fraudsters can create convincing fake listings, often using real ticket images.
- Think twice about a ‘bargain’: If it sounds too good to be true — especially for a sold-out gig — it probably is.
- Avoid bank transfers: Opt for payment methods that offer buyer protection, such as credit cards or PayPal.
The message is clear: don’t let the excitement of seeing Liam and Noel back on stage cloud your judgement. Buy safe, stay sharp, and don’t hand your hard-earned cash over to chancers.
