Fake tickets: Crackdown leads to 3 arrests

MBABANE – Police have arrested a third suspect in a brazen forged ticket racket at Mavuso Sports Centre during Saturday’s double-header.

Moneni Pirates edged Ezulwini United 2-1, while Mbabane Swallows fell 2-3 to Young Buffaloes, with less than 2 000 fans on the stands.  

Initially, two women were apprehended during the incident, but fresh probes led to another arrest, confirmed by Deputy Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni on Sunday.

“A third suspect was nabbed today (Sunday) after further investigations. All three will face court tomorrow (yesterday),” she stated.  

PLE Chairman Polycarp Dlamini declined to comment, insisting, “Let the law run its course; the police are handling it.” Independent enquiries by this publication suggest the third suspect, a male, is allegedly tied to a printing firm. Police have withheld the trio’s identities pending their court appearance.  

A source revealed the scam unravelled when a fan’s ticket was flagged as counterfeit at the gate. After questioning, the fan admitted buying the forged ticket from a seller.

dud

Officers swiftly orchestrated a sting, instructing another supporter to purchase a dud ticket, leading to the duo’s arrest and escort to the Manzini Police Station.

The source alleged the pair had long peddled forged tickets, swindling clubs of crucial gate takings, with some fans likely slipping into packed venues undetected.  

Fans can dodge such scams by buying tickets securely via WhatsApp. Text ‘PLE’ to +18622034403, enter details, select the stadium and match date (for instance, MTN PLE Mavuso Sports Centre 120125), and follow instructions to complete the purchase.  

tickets

Meanwhile, in South Africa, the February 1, 2025 Soweto Derby at FNB Stadium saw over 100 000 fans enter an 87 000-capacity venue due to forged ‘till-slip’ tickets, as reported by Stadium Management SA (SMSA).

Syndicates mass-produce flimsy forgeries, leaving legitimate ticket holders stranded for safety reasons. SMSA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bertie Grobbelaar noted no arrests, but criticised the lack of police action, announcing a new ticketing partner, Open Tickets, from March 1 to combat fraud.  

defrauding

In the United Kingdom (UK), two Liverpool fans, John Stuart and Greg O’Neill, were convicted in August 2022 for defrauding supporters of thousands of pounds by selling fake Champions League final tickets for the May 28, 2022 match against Real Madrid in Paris.

Operating via social media, they targeted desperate fans, with Stuart jailed for eight months and O’Neill given a two-year community order.

Liverpool FC identified over 50 accounts selling fake tickets, urging platforms to act.

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