A young woman who offered concert tickets for sale on Facebook but did not supply the tickets after payment was made, has been sentenced to 18 months of probation in the Gympie Magistrates Court today.
The court heard it was the woman’s third time appearing in court for similar offences.
Three people paid the woman amounts of $75, $100 and $200 each for tickets but she did not supply them or respond to their questions, instead blocking them on Facebook.
The Police Prosecutor told the court ‘this type of offending affects trust in our community’ and asked for a suspended two-month prison sentence.
Magistrate Bevan Hughes took into account the woman’s lack of support from her parents since she was 16 and ‘desperate’ financial situation while studying in Brisbane but warned her to change her ways.
‘You had the ability to support yourself, complete high school and a Cert 3 so you have skills and you should use those skills to help the community, not rip them off,’ Justice Hughes told the defendant.
‘I need to send a message to the community that there is no tolerance for this type of offending. However, you are 21 and have your whole life ahead of you and there are prospects of rehabilitation. I am ruling for a long period of probation to help you consider the impact of your offending on the community.’
‘If you reoffend and come before this court again there’s a possibility you will go to jail.’
Offenders sentenced to a probation order must:
- not commit another offence
- report to a probation office as directed
- address their offending by participating in programs or counselling
- get permission before leaving the state
- tell a correctional officer if they change address or employment status.
Justice Hughes also ordered the defendant to pay restitution to the victims of her cyber-fraud. No conviction was recorded.
Ticket scamming is on the rise throughout Australia and the world, with research by Barclays new Scams Bulletin data, revealing adults aged 18-27, known as Gen Z, are most likely to either have been scammed or targeted by a ticket scam.
The Australia Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has outlined steps to take before buying tickets online.
