Experts warn of £15m Take That tour scam

Fraudsters could make over £15 million selling fake tickets for Take That's record-breaking 'Progress' tour, financial analysts have warned.

According to The Sun an average of one bogus ticket per hour appeared online yesterday, after the group's first tour with Robbie Williams for 16 years sold out within a matter of hours.

With technical difficulties preventing fans from securing their seat, experts have expressed concern that punters may be drawn to fake sites that take payment for non-existent tickets or use the buyer's personal details to commit identity fraud.

Edward Parkinson from ticket exchange site Viagogo told the paper: "Fans need to be extra vigilant when they see a site offering Take That tickets and should not judge a site by its appearance; they must do their homework before they buy."

As touts are also planning to sell on their tickets at extortionate prices, with one pair reportedly appearing on eBay for £2,703 yesterday, analysts predict that the total amount brought in by scams could reach £23 million.

27-year-old Nicola Kirrane, who queued up for hours at Wembley Stadium yesterday, complained that tour promoters had made it too easy for touts to get their hands on tickets.

"People were allowed to buy up to eight tickets in one go, which is fair," she said. "But there were loads of people who were clearly touts, and not fans, who were snapping them up.

"There was one group of about ten touts who were able to buy 80 tickets between them. It's unfair on the real fans."