Two hackers have been arrested for allegedly stealing and reselling digital concert tickets, including those for Taylor Swift’s highly popular Eras Tour, according to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. The accused are said to have profited over $600,000 by taking advantage of a loophole in an offshore ticket vendor’s system.
Authorities revealed that the hackers managed to steal nearly 900 digital tickets, many of which were for Swift’s tour. They then sold these tickets at a high price to unsuspecting fans, making a huge profit in the process. District Attorney Katz emphasized that the accused individuals took advantage of the immense demand for Swift’s concerts, as well as other high-profile events, to make money dishonestly. She stated that they allegedly found a way to gain unauthorized access to tickets for one of the biggest tours in recent history and resold them for their own benefit.
According to officials, the scheme involved two individuals working for a StubHub third-party contractor in Kingston, Jamaica. These individuals reportedly stole ticket URLs and sent them via email to two co-conspirators based in Queens, New York. The Queens-based suspects, identified as Tyrone Rose and Shamara P. Simmons, are believed to have downloaded the stolen tickets and resold them through StubHub, making significant profits.
Both Rose and Simmons have been charged with multiple offenses, including second-degree grand larceny, first-degree computer tampering, fourth-degree conspiracy, and fourth-degree computer tampering. If convicted, they could face prison sentences ranging from three to fifteen years.
Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the full extent of the operation and to identify any additional individuals involved. Reports indicate that the hackers also targeted tickets for concerts by Adele and Ed Sheeran, as well as major sports events like NBA games and the US Open Tennis Championships.
