New York prosecutors allege hackers stole nearly 1,000 Taylor Swift tickets and resold them for massive profits in an elaborate cybercrime scheme.
Hackers Exploited Ticketing System to Steal Taylor Swift Seats
New York prosecutors claim a cybercrime operation stole nearly 1,000 tickets to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, illegally reselling them for over $635,000. The scheme, allegedly orchestrated by two individuals linked to a third-party contractor for StubHub, exploited a system loophole to access and distribute high-demand tickets.
According to the Queens District Attorney’s Office, Tyrone Rose, 20, from Kingston, Jamaica, and Shamara P. Simmons, 31, from Jamaica, Queens, were arrested on Thursday. They face charges of second-degree grand larceny, computer tampering, and conspiracy. If convicted, they could each face up to 15 years in prison.
Prosecutors say Rose and Simmons stole ticket URLs while working for Sutherland, a third-party vendor for StubHub in Kingston, Jamaica. They allegedly sent these URLs to co-conspirators in New York, who then downloaded and resold the tickets at inflated prices on StubHub.
Authorities Call Out “Brazen” Ticket Theft
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz condemned the operation, stating that the accused took advantage of the overwhelming demand for Swift’s tour. She noted that they allegedly exploited a system vulnerability to steal and resell tickets, profiting off unsuspecting fans.
StubHub, however, is not accused of any wrongdoing. The company’s chief legal officer, Mark Streams, emphasized that the fraudulent activity was uncovered by StubHub itself. Once detected, StubHub reported the scheme to law enforcement and Sutherland.
Streams added that StubHub promptly refunded or replaced affected orders and implemented enhanced security measures to prevent future breaches. He expressed appreciation for law enforcement’s efforts in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
More Concerts Targeted in the Scheme
While the majority of stolen tickets were for Taylor Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour, prosecutors say the scheme extended beyond her concerts. The group also allegedly resold stolen tickets for Adele and Ed Sheeran performances, NBA games, and the US Open Tennis Championships.
This incident comes after widespread ticketing issues for The Eras Tour in November 2022, when unprecedented demand caused Ticketmaster’s presale system to crash. Many fans struggled to purchase tickets, sparking public outrage and congressional hearings on the ticketing industry.
Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour has been a historic success, generating over $2 billion in ticket sales. The resale market has seen sky-high prices, making it a prime target for fraudulent activity.
Authorities continue to investigate potential additional conspirators involved in the cybercrime operation. Meanwhile, fans are encouraged to purchase tickets only from verified sources to avoid scams.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Jaja’s career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including Business Times and Brigada. As a news editor, she covered a wide range of beats, including business, economy, cryptocurrency, and personal finance. Additionally, she has successfully managed teams of writers producing content on gaming, technology, and entertainment.
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