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FTC Sues Reseller for Bypassing Ticket Limits
4 Jul
Summary
- Reseller used thousands of accounts to bypass security measures.
- Company allegedly purchased tickets worth $57 million.
- FTC claims violation of Better Online Ticket Sales Act.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed a lawsuit against Key Investment Group and its affiliates, including Epic Seats and Totally Tix, for allegedly circumventing Ticketmaster's security measures. These tactics were employed to bypass ticket purchase limits for popular events.
Operating between March and August of 2023, Key Investment Group reportedly used thousands of Ticketmaster accounts, spoofed IP addresses, and virtual credit card numbers. This allowed them to purchase at least 379,776 tickets valued at nearly $57 million, subsequently reselling them for approximately $64 million.
Taylor Swift's Eras Tour was a significant target, with the reseller allegedly buying over 2,280 tickets for 38 shows, generating more than $1.2 million in profit. The FTC asserts that these actions violated the FTC Act and the Better Online Ticket Sales Act.
Key Investment Group denies the allegations, calling the FTC's claims a "clear example of regulatory overreach" and arguing that the government's case threatens the secondary ticket market.
