Music fans are being urged to be cautious about last-minute tickets for sale on social media as new figures reveal that £1.6 million was reported lost to ticket fraud last year.

Fans hoping to attend eagerly-anticipated events such as Glastonbury and the Oasis reunion tour are being warned not to put themselves at risk of being scammed.

The Government has issued the warning as part of its wider crackdown on scammers and online fraud.

Action Fraud data released by the Home Office show people lost more than £1.6 million in scams related to concert tickets in 2024 – more than double the total recorded the previous year.

Around 3,700 gig ticket fraud reports were made to Action Fraud in 2024, with nearly half referring to offers made on social media platforms.

People aged in their 20s were most likely to become victims of ticket fraud last year, accounting for more than a quarter (27%) of victims, the figures indicate.

The Government is urging people to follow the Stop! Think Fraud campaign advice to ensure they are protected from scams ahead of the busy summer of gigs and festivals.

Fraud Minister Lord Hanson said: “While millions of Britons are getting ready to attend concerts this summer, the scammers are getting ready to exploit the desperate search for tickets, posting fake messages on social media sites offering to resell tickets they can’t use or making last-minute offers from fake ticket companies.

“That is why our campaign is called Stop! Think Fraud, so no matter how real a deal looks, we all need to take a moment to think: am I being ripped off? So, let’s all stay cautious, stay alert and stay protected from fraud. Don’t let the scammers ruin your summer.”

Tor Garnett, commander for cyber and economic crime at City of London Police, said: “People go to gigs for that ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ experience – especially at sold-out concerts and festivals, where the atmosphere is unmatched.

“But the excitement can vanish in an instant when fans discover their tickets are fake or they’ve been scammed through social media or resale sites. The loss isn’t just financial – it’s deeply emotional, turning anticipation into heartbreak.

“Key signs of ticket fraud include unsolicited messages with ticket offers and deals, or requests for payment via bank transfer.”

Mike Andrews, national co-ordinator for the National Trading Standards e-crime team, said: “Every summer, music fans desperate to see their favourite artists at festivals or stadium tours are left distraught and considerably out of pocket at the turnstiles as they discover the tickets they bought in good faith are in fact part of a fraudulent scam.