NZC warns fans over fake tickets

Kiwi cricket fans are being warned to be vigilant over fake ticket sales this summer

New Zealand Cricket says Black Caps fans should purchase tickets only through authorised seller Ticketek to avoid being left out-of-pocket.

‘‘NZC has been made aware of fake and counterfeit tickets being hawked on controversial online reseller site Viagogo, complete with inflated prices, incorrect entry information and slightly altered design graphics,’’ a media release said yesterday.

The warning follows similar issues being raised for other sporting and concert events.

Viagogo is being sued by the Commerce Commission following hundreds of complaints from concert-goers that they were scammed by the company. The commission alleges breaches of the Fair Trading Act and says the Switzerland-based company made false or misleading representations.

Since the start of 2017 the commission has received more than 400 complaints about Viagogo.

NZC’s Graham Parks said fans wishing to attend Black Caps and White Ferns fixtures this summer should avoid purchasing tickets from any seller apart from Ticketek.

‘‘It’s already been brought to our attention that there are counterfeit tickets being sold on the Viagogo site for highly inflated prices – as much as $90 per ticket.’’

Parks also warned those who might be offered full adult tickets at what seemed like bargain prices to beware of scammers.

‘‘We noticed last summer people had been on-sold, or had bought children’s tickets under the mistaken belief they would admit an adult,’’ he said.