- 87% of ticket scam losses over the past five years are linked to music events, holidays and football fixtures
- People aged between 25 to 45 account for almost half of the total value of ticket scams
- NatWest launches digital fraud escape room and rolls out its financial foundations course to support local communities stay scam-aware
With millions of people preparing for a summer of travel, live events and major sporting moments, NatWest is spotlighting common areas where fraudsters are dialling up their efforts, in order to encourage people and families to have open conversations about staying safe online, spotting red flags, and pausing to check before making a payment.
As the weather gets warmer and plans begin to take shape, new NatWest data shows a rise in certain sophisticated scams with fraudsters increasingly targeting those booking holidays, attending music events or heading to football games. High profile events such as the upcoming global football tournament and big summer festivals across the country, create opportunities for scams, fake resale listings, and fraudulent offers.
As part of this, the bank is continuing to invest in long-term fraud prevention through initiatives such as NatWest Thrive, its free financial education programme for schools and youth groups. This includes a new digital fraud escape room, called “Unlocked”[1] designed to help young people build real-world scam spotting skills. Alongside this, the bank is rolling out Financial Foundations sessions for more customers and local communities this summer. Starting in London, the workshops mark the beginning of a national series, with NatWest teams visiting regions across the UK to build fraud awareness and strengthen practical skills. This programme underlines the bank’s commitment to reach more people across local communities and helping them to stay safe from fraud.
Overall, 87% of ticket scam losses over the past five years are linked to music events, holidays and football fixtures. With an 89% increase in the value of money lost to ticket scams between 2023 and 2025, this highlights how fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated in their approach. Nearly every age group has seen year-on-year increases in ticket losses, with those aged 25 to 45 accounting for 80% of total losses over the past five years. The data from NatWest also shows:
Football scams:
- Major football events are prime targets for fraudsters, with 2024 seeing a five-year high in football-related scams
- An average of £200 lost per person to ticket scams during the 25/26 football season
- 18-35 years olds make up over 60% of those impacted by football related ticket scams
Travel scams:
- The volume of flight and holiday scams increased by a third in April 2026 compared to the same time last year
- 17% increase in ticketing scams related to music events and festivals between 2024-2025
- 18-25 years olds are impacted more than any other age demographic, making up 37% of all music related ticket scams
These scams are designed by criminals to catch people off guard, and they can affect anyone. NatWest is supporting customers and their families with straightforward tools, guidance and education that help them feel confident taking simple steps to stay safe. Some top tips from the bank include:
- Only buy tickets from trusted and verified sellers or official resale platforms
- Never feel pressured to pay quickly or outside secure platforms
- Avoid making payments via bank transfer for tickets or holidays
James Holian, Chief Customer and Operations Officer, at NatWest said: “We’re seeing fraudsters increasingly target people with ticket scams for summertime events, and they aren’t just looking for a certain type of person – anyone can be targeted regardless of age or how confident they feel spotting scams.
“That’s why as well as continuing to innovate with new technology, and investing in education, we’re working collaboratively with the government and the wider industry, so that customers can spend their money with confidence.”
Other initiatives introduced by NatWest to support customers in staying safe include:
- Protecting customers: NatWest is helping customers stay one step ahead of fraud through personalised in-app security tools, AI‑driven fraud detection, and financial education for all ages. Helping people to stay safe and confident managing their money all year round.
- Personalised prevention: Features such as My Security Profile in the NatWest app provide customers with simple, tailored actions to strengthen their security.
- Next generation support: NatWest is strengthening its fraud customer support using agentic AI within its AI assistant, Cora. Expected to launch in the coming months, customers will be able to navigate the reporting and resolution of fraud and dispute incidents much quicker and easier supported by a natural language conversation - with colleagues freed up to focus on more complex and vulnerable customer cases.
With around 80% of fraud-related activity originating online and through telco platforms, - NatWest is championing cross-sector collaboration through the government’s National Fraud Strategy and launch of its Online Crime Centre, which aims to strengthen early fraud prevention by improving responsible data sharing across sectors.
Lord Hanson, Minister for Fraud, said: “Fraudsters will try to exploit our excitement for summer events. Whether it’s a major sporting event, a big gig or a deserved holiday, these criminals will try to make money and inflict misery. I urge everyone to Stop! Think Fraud to protect themselves and those close to you.
“The government is investing £250 million as part of our new Fraud Strategy to crackdown on this crime. We will continue to work with industry and use every tool at our disposal to disrupt criminal operations, bring fraudsters to justice and strengthen support for victims."
For more information and guidance, visit our ticket scams page.
Notes to editors:
About Unlocked:
Unlocked, the free digital Escape Room, is designed to help young people recognise, avoid and respond to real-life fraud and scams. It puts players in realistic scenarios they may encounter in daily life from buying concert tickets online to spotting suspicious social media messages. Working their way through the Escape Room, students must think critically, make decisions, and crack clues to progress, all while learning how scammers operate and how to stay safe.
[1] Fraud Escape Room launched in partnership with Stellar Elevate
