Scalpers have been a thorn in the side of concertgoers and sports fans for decades. These resellers manage to scoop up huge quantities of tickets to in-demand events and then resell them on secondary markets at inflated prices. With major artists like Taylor Swift speaking out against scalpers and new laws aiming to stop the practice, you may wonder how scalpers continue to get their hands on so many tickets.
Using Bots to Buy Tickets
One of the main techniques scalpers use is automated ticket-buying bots. These bots can circumvent security measures and snatch up tickets the moment they go on sale. The bots are programmed to target popular events and buy the maximum number of tickets allowed per purchase.
Bots can complete CAPTCHA tests and get through online queues faster than any human buyer could. They take advantage of vulnerabilities in ticketing websites to scoop up prime seats before regular fans even have a chance.
Scalpers often run multiple instances of these bots at the same time across different devices and internet connections. This allows them to quickly gobble up inventory.
Examples of Ticket Buying Bots
Some examples of infamous ticket bots include:
- Ticket Brokers Assistant – Designed to purchase tickets from Ticketmaster and resell them.
- Ticket Miracle – Boasts the ability to buy tickets from Ticketmaster, LiveNation, AXS and more.
- Ticket Snail – A Russian bot used to mass purchase tickets.
These bots are constantly being updated to exploit weaknesses in ticket selling platforms as they emerge. Developers charge thousands of dollars to access the latest versions.
Using Fake Accounts
Scalpers will also create networks of fake accounts, or fake “identities”, to get around ticket purchasing limits. Many ticket sellers try to stop scalpers by restricting how many tickets one person can buy. But scalpers circumvent this by creating fake profiles.
These fake accounts look like real people. They use burner credit cards and disposable email addresses. This allows a scalper to make it appear like many different “fans” are purchasing tickets, even though it’s just them.
Ticketmaster found over 60,000 fake accounts were used to scoop up tickets for major 2017 events. These accounts were tied to mass scalping efforts.
Fake Account Warning Signs
Here are some red flags that an account buying tickets may be fake:
- Recently created email and social media profiles with minimal activity
- Credit cards from banks with no physical branches
- Addresses that don’t match public records
- Multiple accounts with similar names from the same IP address
Partnering with Ticket Insiders
Scalpers also obtain tickets by developing connections with ticket industry insiders. This includes:
- Venue employees
- Ticket broker employees
- Promoters
- Radio station contest runners
These insiders can funnel inventory to scalpers before it is released for sale to the general public. Having an inside line on tickets helps scalpers buy them up first.
For example, a venue box office employee may get a kickback for allowing a scalper to purchase tickets ahead of the on-sale date. Or a small-time broker may pass prime inventory to a major reseller in exchange for a fee.
Artist fan club presales are another place where unscrupulous insiders provide access to scalpers in exchange for a cut of the profits.
Examples of Shady Practices
Some specific examples of sketchy partnerships include:
- Live Nation employees caught funneling concert tickets directly to scalpers like Mike Blakesley.
- R&B singer Usher’s manager giving a reseller almost 50% of the tickets to his shows.
- Resellers bribing box office workers at venues like Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
Abusing Presales
Presales are sales open only to specific groups ahead of the general public on-sale. This includes fan club members, credit card holders and Spotify subscribers. Scalpers find ways to cheat these presales to obtain tickets.
They may create fake fan club accounts to get access to fan presales. Or they will open burner credit cards to get into presales for certain card holders.
Resellers also pay people to stand in line for physical presale tickets reserved for fan club members or sponsors. This allows them to acquire tickets directly from the box office before they are sold online.
Ticketmaster estimated 20% of its presale tickets for major tours in 2017 were snapped up by scalpers gaming the system.
Presale Abuse Tactics
Some of the tactics scalpers use to beat presales include:
- Opening fake accounts for fan clubs like the BeyHive or 5SOS Fam.
- Obtaining presale codes from insiders and social media.
- Using gift cards and other tricks to get generic presale codes.
- Hiring “mules” to wait in line at box offices.
Circumventing Limits
When all else fails, scalpers will simply circumvent ticket purchase limits. Ticket sellers try to stop scalpers by limiting how many tickets each customer can buy.
Common limits include 4-6 tickets per household and 8-10 over a month. But scalpers have found ways around even the strictest limits.
They may space out purchases across multiple accounts. Or use “bed-in-business” schemes with multiple fake identities. They can also make repeat purchases with the same card by slightly altering the billing details each time.
Scalpers can even implement technical workarounds. Like masking their IP address or clearing their cookies to make it appear like a new user.
Getting Around Limits
Some tricks scalpers use to circumvent ticket limits include:
- Buying small batches from different phones, devices and internet connections.
- Using varied payment methods, names, emails, billing details.
- Automating the process across thousands of accounts.
- Altering IP addresses to mimic new buyers.
Conclusion
Scalpers seem to stay one step ahead with new tricks to grab tickets the instant they go on sale. But it is possible to beat them at their own game.
The key for fans is being diligent and prepared. Join artist fan clubs to get presales. Set up accounts ahead of time with correct info. Use fast networks and devices. Refresh at the exact on-sale time. Buy immediately – don’t wait!
While scalpers may have automation on their side, real fans have the perseverance. With dedication, you can still score tickets at face value and thwart the scalpers!