Cybercrime crew stole then resold hundreds of tickets to Swift concerts: Prosecutors

ABC News - Mar 4th, 2025

A cybercrime operation led by individuals in Jamaica and New York has been uncovered for stealing and reselling over 900 digital tickets to high-demand events, primarily Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, on StubHub. The operation, which generated over $600,000 in illicit profits between June 2022 and July 2023, involved redirecting the URLs of purchased tickets to new buyers at inflated prices. Key figures in the operation, Tyrone Rose and Shamara Simmons, were arrested and charged with grand larceny, computer tampering, and conspiracy. Rose was caught while visiting New York and both he and Simmons have pleaded not guilty.

This case highlights vulnerabilities in online ticket marketplaces and the potential for insider threats, as the crime involved a firm contracted by StubHub in Jamaica. StubHub discovered and reported the scheme, terminating its contract with the offending vendor and enhancing its security protocols. The incident underscores the need for robust security measures in digital transactions and raises awareness about the risks of cybercrime in the ticketing industry. StubHub has assured that affected customers have been compensated, either through replacement tickets or refunds.

New York Taylor Swift Eras Tour Cybercrime Stub Hub Ticket Fraud Jamaica Grand Larceny

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.6

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

Overall, the article provides a comprehensive and accurate account of a significant cybercrime involving the theft and resale of digital tickets to popular events. It effectively covers the key facts and legal proceedings, with credible sources supporting the information. The story is timely and engages public interest by addressing issues related to digital security and consumer protection. However, it could benefit from additional perspectives, particularly from cybersecurity experts and consumer advocates, to enhance balance and source quality. The article is clear and readable, though it could include more technical explanations for readers unfamiliar with cybersecurity topics. While the story touches on controversial issues, it maintains an objective tone, contributing to its overall quality and reliability.

Accuracy

The article provides a detailed account of a cybercrime involving the theft and resale of over 900 digital tickets to high-profile events like Taylor Swift concerts and others. The main factual claims, such as the number of tickets stolen, the involvement of individuals in Jamaica and New York, and the profits made, are consistent with reports from credible sources. However, certain details, such as the exact number of tickets and the full extent of the operation, require further verification. Additionally, the article accurately reports the legal proceedings involving the accused individuals, Tyrone Rose and Shamara Simmons, and StubHub's response to the incident. Overall, the story is factually accurate but could benefit from more precise details in some areas.

Balance

The article presents the perspectives of law enforcement and StubHub, providing a balanced view of the situation. However, it lacks input from independent cybersecurity experts or consumer protection advocates who could offer additional insights into the implications of such cybercrimes. The absence of comments from the accused individuals or their legal representatives, aside from the public defender's office declining to comment, also limits the story's balance. While the article doesn't show overt favoritism, including more diverse viewpoints could enhance its balance.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear, concise language to convey the events surrounding the cybercrime. The logical flow from the crime's details to the legal proceedings and StubHub's response ensures readers can easily follow the narrative. The tone remains neutral throughout, aiding comprehension. However, some technical aspects, such as the specifics of the cybercrime operation, could be explained more clearly to enhance understanding for readers unfamiliar with such topics.

Source quality

The article cites credible sources, including the Queens District Attorney's office and StubHub, lending reliability to the information presented. The involvement of these authoritative entities in the story ensures that the details are well-supported. However, the lack of a broader range of sources, such as cybersecurity experts or consumer rights organizations, slightly diminishes the overall source quality. Including such perspectives could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the issue.

Transparency

The article is transparent about its sources, clearly attributing information to the Queens District Attorney and StubHub. However, it doesn't delve deeply into the methodology of how the cybercrime was uncovered or the specific loopholes exploited, which could enhance transparency. Additionally, while StubHub's response is noted, the article could benefit from more detailed disclosure of the investigation's findings and the measures taken to prevent future incidents.