In a fraudulent plot that impacted numerous high-profile events, cybercriminals orchestrated the theft and resale of over 900 digital tickets primarily for Taylor Swift concerts, along with other notable events. This elaborate scam was uncovered by prosecutors in New York and involved a network of individuals operating both locally and internationally.
Central to this scam were individuals based in Jamaica who were working for a company engaged with the online ticket sales platform, StubHub. They deceitfully acquired the URLs of tickets originally purchased on StubHub and forwarded them via email to collaborators in New York. The defrauded tickets were subsequently downloaded and put up for sale once more on StubHub, marked at heavily inflated prices, according to details shared by Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz.
Throughout the span from June 2022 to July 2023, this illicit operation generated profits exceeding $600,000. The majority of tickets involved included coveted seats to Taylor Swift’s acclaimed Eras Tour. However, tickets for other major events, such as concerts by Adele and Ed Sheeran, NBA games, and the U.S. Open Tennis Championships, were also compromised.
While the investigation is ongoing to fully map out the extent of the scam and to identify further collaborators, two key figures have been apprehended. Tyrone Rose and Shamara Simmons, who allegedly played significant roles in the theft, faced arrest and were cited with grand larceny, computer tampering, and conspiracy charges. Both Rose and Simmons entered not guilty pleas. Following their arraignment, they have been released pending a court appearance set for Friday. As part of his conditional release, Rose was required to surrender his passport.
Prosecutors describe Rose, aged 20, as one of the Jamaican operatives who rerouted acquired ticket information to Simmons, aged 31, along with another accomplice located in Queens, New York City. Rose, who was caught during a visit to New York, faces legal challenges alongside Simmons in the unfolding case.
Comments from StubHub representatives and legal counsel for Rose and Simmons were not immediately available at the time of reporting. The case highlights ongoing challenges in the digital ticketing landscape and the growing sophistication of cybercriminal acts.
