RUGBY fans are being warned of ticket scams ahead of Ireland’s crucial Six Nations clash with France.
Ticket scams have increased by a third in Ireland in build-up to France game, according to Revolut.
Scammers are using a number of social media platforms including Facebook, X and WhatsApp
The ban has alerted rugby fans to the surge in ticket fraud and is issuing a warning to customers ahead of Ireland’s eagerly-anticipated match against France.
People aged 25-34 are the most vulnerable potential victims.
A Spokesperson for Revolut said: “Those on the hunt for last-minute tickets ahead of Saturday’s match at Aviva Stadium are being urged to hear the bank’s warning after Revolut recorded a third more ticket scam victims in Ireland over the final two weeks of February compared with the previous two.
“It comes as little surprise given that this weekend’s matches could decide the outcome of this year’s Championship, with Ireland bidding for a historic Six Nations three-peat.”
Over €550m in potential fraud against its customers was prevented by the Revolut team in 2023.
General Manager at Revolut Bank, Ireland Branch, Malcolm Craig, said: “We know how important the Six Nations is to so many of our customers across all of the competing nations but none more so than Ireland, where Irish rugby fans are so anxious to support their team.
“Sadly, fraudsters capitalise on the scarcity and demand for these events, particularly ahead of Championship-defining matches such as this weekend’s.
“We urge customers not to panic-buy or fall for offers that are too good to be true.
“The security of our customers’ money is our absolute priority and we firmly advise people to only purchase tickets from trusted ticketing platforms that offer clear protections against fraudulent sellers.”
Some key red flags in identifying fraud include avoiding to meet in person, deals too good to be true, fake photos, unofficial sites or speedy agreements.
Revolut chiefs said they’re continually enhancing its security features and fraud detection systems whilst also providing educational resources to help consumers stay informed about potential risks.
In 2024, they launched Revolut Secure, which brings together all its cutting-edge security features to give customers control over how their money is protected.
Common sacm tactics identified by Revolut
- Impossible to meet in person: Scammers rarely ever live in the city where the match is taking place, and prefer to make deals online instead of meeting buyers in person.
- Less controlled environments: To successfully scam their victims, criminals mainly use unofficial sites or social media marketplaces where there are fewer verifications.
- Too good to be true: In some cases, scammers sell fake match tickets at very good prices, attempting to lure victims into transferring money quickly to avoid missing out.
- FOMO (Fear of Missing Out): Fraudsters pressure victims into paying quickly or risk tickets being sold to someone else, feigning multiple offers to distract from the tell-tale signs. It might be a Championship-deciding match — but be careful with your money!
- Photos can fool you: Criminals often convince victims with screenshots of legitimate looking digital tickets to build confidence, but these are often fake and fraudsters have nothing to transfer. Stick to making purchases solely through legitimate platforms.
