Cybercrime Ring Scams $635,000 in Taylor Swift Concert Tickets

A cybercrime operation involving two third-party contractors for StubHub resulted in the illegal resale of over 1,000 concert tickets, generating $635,000 in profits, according to New York authorities. The majority of these stolen tickets were for Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, though high-profile events such as concerts by Ed Sheeran and Adele, NBA games, and the US Open Tennis Championships were also targeted.

Tyrone Rose, 20, and Shamara Simmons, 31, both employees of Sutherland Global Services in Jamaica, allegedly exploited a flaw in an offshore ticket vendor’s platform to intercept approximately 350 StubHub orders. Prosecutors state that Rose and an unidentified accomplice used their system access to locate a backdoor into a secure section of StubHub's network. This allowed them to reroute ticket URLs intended for buyers to email accounts controlled by Simmons and another accomplice, who has since passed away.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to uncover the full extent of the scheme and identify any additional conspirators. Rose and Simmons were arrested in New York City and charged with multiple offenses, including second-degree grand larceny, first-degree computer tampering, and conspiracy. If convicted on the most serious charge, they could face between three and 15 years in prison.

Queens County District Attorney Melinda Katz emphasized that the defendants sought to capitalize on the demand for high-profile events at the expense of consumers. She highlighted the importance of collaboration between law enforcement and industry partners in combating fraud and ensuring consumer protection.