A South Wales woman has admitted defrauding concert fans out of nearly £3,000 after falsely selling tickets to see Taylor Swift during her highly anticipated Eras Tour.
Amy Rees, 38, from Nantymoel, appeared before Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on Monday where she pleaded guilty to 12 counts of fraud by false representation.
The court heard that Rees targeted fans between September 2023 and June 2024, offering tickets she did not possess. Victims collectively lost more than £2,800, with the largest individual loss amounting to £623.
Prosecutors said the offences were committed over several months, exploiting the intense demand surrounding the global pop star’s UK tour dates. Tickets for the shows had been selling out within minutes, leaving many fans scrambling to secure seats through secondary sellers.
Rees spoke only briefly during proceedings, confirming her name, age and address. She then answered “guilty” to each of the 12 charges as they were read aloud in court.
Her defence solicitor described her as someone of “prior clean character,” telling magistrates that she had no previous convictions. The court subsequently ordered a pre-sentence report to assess her background and circumstances before deciding punishment.
She was granted unconditional bail and is due to return for sentencing on March 10.
As she left the courthouse, Rees covered her face with a beige scarf and avoided cameras, declining to comment on the case.
The fraudulent activity coincided with the UK leg of Swift’s blockbuster Eras Tour, which made a highly publicised stop at Principality Stadium in Cardiff in June 2024.
The stadium dates drew tens of thousands of fans from across Britain and beyond. With official tickets scarce, resale listings often reached hundreds or even thousands of pounds, creating opportunities for scammers to exploit desperate buyers.
Investigators believe the victims were persuaded through online communications and informal agreements, where payment was taken but tickets never materialised. Many only discovered the deception when they failed to receive confirmation or entry passes close to the concert date.
Consumer protection experts say such schemes have become increasingly common around major tours and sporting events, where high demand and limited availability leave buyers vulnerable to fraudsters.
Trading standards officials frequently warn fans to purchase tickets only through authorised platforms and to avoid direct bank transfers or private sellers without verification. Payments made through unsecured methods are often difficult to recover once lost.
Legal analysts note that even relatively small sums can lead to serious consequences when multiple victims are involved. Fraud by false representation carries potential penalties ranging from fines to community orders or custodial sentences, depending on severity and mitigating factors.
The court will consider the financial harm, the number of victims and Rees’s personal circumstances when determining sentence next month. A compensation order may also be discussed to help reimburse those affected.
For many fans, the incident serves as a cautionary tale. With high-profile concerts continuing to sell out nationwide, authorities stress that vigilance remains essential to prevent further losses.
As Swift’s record-breaking tour continues to attract global attention, cases like this underline how enthusiasm for live events can sometimes be exploited — leaving both financial and emotional damage in its wake.
