Streaming scammers target local GAA games
Online scam targets local GAA fixtures
UNSCRUPULOUS operators of a sophisticated scam are targeting elderly GAA fans who can’t attend when their favourite clubs are taking part in the Cork County Championship due to COVID restrictions.
The operators of the scheme are offering fans an opportunity to watch live streaming coverage of their club in action – but want them to pay by credit card for the privilege.
Fixtures in the Bon Secours Premier Intermediate Championship involving Knocknagree, Ballydesmond and other Duhallow and mid Cork clubs were recently targeted and GAA officials are fearful that a further attempt will be made to defraud people over next weekend’s full fixture list.
“The whole thing looks very legitimate – you would think that it’s been designed by the club for its members,” said Knocknagree GAA man Padraig Hickey, speaking on C103 this week.
He said he had investigated the links on the YouTube page after being alerted to their existence by a friend. In the first instance he was promised pre-match coverage, including a preview, then the match itself and after match interviews.
When he was asked for his credit card details, he said: “I pulled the handbrake then as I smelled a rat!”
DUHALLOW GAA club officials are warning fans who are anxious to watch their clubs vy for championship honours to stay away from Youtube sites offering live coverage in exchange for credit card details.
A number of clubs in the region, and in other parts of the County, have had details of matches they’ve been involved in featured in attempted scams on the video streaming service.
Patrick Hickey of Knocknagree GAA, speaking to Patricia Messinger on C103’s Cork Today Show, said that he had learned of what was taking place when discussing it with a friend.
“He told me that live stream of our recent championship match with St Vincents was up on You Tube.
“I said that can’t be because we had actually organised an audio commentary of our game with St Vincent’s.
“We worked with Patrick Mulcahy who provided us with a fine commentary of the game.”
Patrick Hickey thought the game would be on their Facebook page if it would be anywhere.
He looked it up on You Tube and found six different streams of the Knocknagree V St Vincents match. The description promised a preview of the match and post match interviews.
He followed the link and was taken to a page which used Croke Park as a backdrop and introduced the match as being from the “Bons Secours Intermediate Football Championship.
“You would have actually thought it was being organised by Knocknagree for the benefit of the supporters.
“It was only when I was asked to provide my credit card details that I pulled the handbrake, I smelled a rat.”
A number of matches from the first round of games in the Round Robin phase were advertised online on different social media sites as being streamed live.
These included the Knocknagree V St Vincent, the Ballydesmond V Kinsale and the Cill na Martra V Naomh
Abán matches. Hurling matches including a clash between Douglas and Éire Óg were also targeted.
The worry of GAA clubs like Knocknagree is that their supporters, who can’t get tickets to attend matches where the attendance is restricted to just 200 including teams, mentors and officials, would sign up to such scams such is their eagerness to support their clubs. “These fellows know what they’re doing - the whole thing looks very legitimate,” he said.
There’s no indication as yet online that games scheduled for this weekend coming will be targeted in a similar way.
Clubs have, nonetheless, issued alerts to their supporters on social media pointing out that coverage of games they are involved in will be available free to view or to listen to on their Facebook pages.
A number of clubs, including Knocknagree, Ballydesmond, Kiskeam and Naomh Abán have their own arrangements already in place to ensure their supporters can enjoy watching matches free online.