A Coldplay fan who was scammed out of €200 for a ticket to the sell-out concerts is warning others to double check who they are buying online from.
Sara Dever was quick to reply to a post, she thought was on the Facebook page of a trusted customer, but unfortunately she soon discovered that his page had been hacked.
"I tried to get Coldplay tickets when they went on sale last year, but like many others I was unsuccessful," said Sara who lives in Moynalty, Co. Meath.
"I was scrolling through social media and saw the post on the page of a man who comes into the Carnaross Inn where I work so I really thought it was genuine.
"I told him I would give him the money the next day in the pub but he told me that he wasn't in town, that's why he was selling the tickets and to ask someone else to help me transfer 200 euro to revolut as I only had cash at that time.
"I was busy at work so I forgot to get back to him and he messaged me back that night to say 'All Good'. He then said to just send him a screenshot once the money was transferred to a revolutmelink@gmail.com. I was got for €200 for two tickets - thank God, I didn't decide to pay €400 for four.
"I can't get through to him since, either on Facebook or SnapChat and then I found out that the page of the man who I thought it was was hacked. I was sick.
"I checked and the money went to the revolut account of a man with a non-typically Irish name so it could be anywhere in the world.
"I know. I know I should've known better but everything, even the revolut link seemed genuine.
"I won't get that money back. I'm not even sure it is worth going to the Gardai to report it but I will do so tomorrow with all the screen shots I've taken. I just don't want anyone else to be caught in the same way.
"It's very easy to get carried away in the moment, especially through a page of someone you think you know. If this happens anyone, ring that person or message them or WhatsApp them to ensure it is them and that they haven't been hacked."
Meanwhile, Garda Crime Prevention Officer for Laois and Offaly, Sgt Graham Kavanagh urged people to only buy tickets through reputable people and platforms, especially if the festival or concert is sold out.
"Many scammers use social engineering to create fake profiles when selling tickets and always ask for over the odds or under the odds prices. If it seems too good to be true, it is too good to be true.
"Never buy from online platforms and if you have to buy something, use your credit card instead of your debit card because you have better come back that way.
"And please, report any scams to Gardaí. If it's not reported, then it didn't happen so the quicker you go to the gardai with screenshots and all the information, the better.
"Many people are embarrassed or feel gardai can't do anything but you would be surprised at what we can do, if we know about the scam early and have all the information to hand."
