First scalping offences under new laws

Joint release

25 March 2007

First scalping offences under new laws

Police have brought the first charges in relation to internet ticket scalping under Queensland’s new anti-scalping laws.

Police Minister Judy Spence and Sport Minister Andrew Fraser said three people were charged last weekend over separate alleged scalping incidents following an investigation by detectives from the Queensland Property Crime Investigation Unit.

“Police have charged three women for attempting to sell tickets to next month’s Red Hot Chilli Peppers concert in Brisbane,” Ms Spence said.

“It appears they were selling the tickets online at four times the original sale price.

“They have been summonsed to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on April 4 and April 1.”

Ms Spence said the charges should serve as a warning to both ticket scalpers and buyers that the internet was no longer a viable venue to purchase tickets at over-inflated prices.

“Police will continue to monitor the internet to crack down on these offences,” Ms Spence said.

“We will not tolerate those who seek to profit from ticket scalping.

“I warn any person considering making a ‘quick buck’ out of Maroons supporters by scalping tickets for the State of Origin that police will not hesitate in charging them too.

“The tickets for the State of Origin at Suncorp Stadium went on sale on Wednesday and sold out very quickly.

“People should be careful when purchasing tickets for any event from anyone other than the original buyer and that applies to in person as well as on the internet.

“If police find some people have bought these tickets with the intention of scalping them, they will not only charge them, the tickets will become invalid.”

“Scalping such as this, deprives genuine fans of live music and sport, the opportunity to see their favourite team or band at a reasonable price, and not at the price set by a ‘middle man’ preying on a person’s desire to attend an event.”

Penalties for scalping became law on December 7 when amendments to the Major Sports Facilities Act 2001 commenced and include fines of up to $1,500 for scalpers and $375 for buyers for each offence.

Additionally, the amendments allow police to issue on-the-spot fines for tickets both illegally sold and purchased.

Mr Fraser said the charges showed police were serious about getting tough on the illicit sale of concert and sporting event tickets via electronic auction.

However he said it was important to remind ticket holders that the laws do not target those people who purchase their tickets at face value from a friend who might not be able to attend an event.

Not-for-profit groups who auction tickets to major events for charity are also exempt.

Mr Fraser said the fines apply to tickets sold at more than 10 per cent of their original price, protecting people who want to sell tickets for legitimate reasons.

“I think this shows that the traditional image of the ticket scalper – a person in a trench coat in a back alley – has evolved and the internet has become the tool to make significant amounts of money on the illegal sale of tickets,” Mr Fraser said.

“Today’s scalpers are far more sophisticated, hiding behind a computer screen, but now as soon as they place tickets for sale at exorbitant prices on internet sites, they can expect police and event organisers to be watching very closely.

“Punters who purchase their tickets this way should also be aware and warned that many of those tickets that are scalped are subsequently cancelled by event organisers and promoters and that leads to disappointment for people who purchase them, unwittingly or otherwise.”

Media Contacts:

Scott Chandler 0408 734 497 (Minister Spence’s office)

Chris Taylor 0419 710 874 (Minister Fraser’s office)