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'HEARTLESS' FRAUDSTERS STOLE THOUSANDS IN TICKETS SCAM

28 August 2024
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Angela Ferguson
BBC News, Liverpool
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PA Media
The fans had wanted tickets to watch Liverpool play in the Champions League
final

Two men who swindled thousands of pounds from football fans eager to get tickets
for Liverpool's 2022 Champions League final in Paris have been sentenced.

One victim paid £8,500 for top tier “category one” tickets while two other men
paid £2,500 for two tickets each.

But no tickets ever materialised and the money was never returned, Liverpool
Crown Court heard.

John Stuart, 42, of Jarrett Road, Kirkby, was jailed for eight months and Greg
O'Neill, 41, of Beaconsfield, Prescot, was given a two-year community order for
his part in the scam.



Stuart had pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud in an earlier hearing, while
O’Neill admitted transferring criminal property.

The victims had been in contact with Stuart via his mobile phone, with the money
then paid into the bank account of O'Neill, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

PA Media
The pair were sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court


O’Neill would then transfer the money to some of Stuart’s relatives and friends.

The fans realised they had been victims of fraud when, after getting in touch
with the men on WhatsApp a few days later, it became clear they had no tickets
for the game.

O’Neill told the victims he was not involved in the scam and simply allowed
Stuart to use his bank account for the money because he was scared of Stuart and
his family.

Stuart finally admitted he did not have the tickets and said he would try to pay
the men back, but no money was forthcoming.

When arrested on 20 October 2022, Stuart admitted he had taken the money and not
provided any tickets but claimed it was due to circumstances beyond his control.

He has since been ordered to repay the full amounts.

O’Neill was also ordered to carry out 15 days of a rehabilitation activity and
was given a 12-month mental health treatment requirement.

District Crown Prosecutor Brian Forshaw said: “John Stuart is a heartless ticket
scammer who stole thousands of pounds from LFC fans who were keen to see their
team in the Champions League Final.

“Stuart exploited their enthusiasm and he never returned any of their money."

He said O'Neill had "a lesser role but allowed Stuart to use his bank account to
launder the cash and deflect suspicion from Stuart".

Mr Forshaw said the scam "unravelled quickly and the two men are now convicted
criminals".

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside
on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas to
northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk


Related stories


FOOTBALL FANS WARNED OVER PREMIER LEAGUE TICKET SCAMS


TAYLOR SWIFT TICKET SCAMMERS 'FEED OFF FANS' DESPERATION'

Related internet links


HM COURTS AND TRIBUNAL SERVICE

Prescot
Kirkby
Liverpool

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