Cybercrime Crew Stole, Resold Over 900 Taylor Swift Tickets, Amassing $600K

A cybercrime crew is accused of stealing and reselling over 900 digital tickets for high-profile events, including Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, through StubHub, amassing around $635,000 in profits between June 2022 and July 2023. The scheme involved contractors based in Jamaica employed by a third-party firm who stole ticket URLs and forwarded them to accomplices in New York, where they were resold at inflated prices. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz confirmed the involvement of two individuals, Tyrone Rose and Shamara Simmons, who have been arrested and charged with grand larceny and conspiracy, among other offenses. StubHub has reported the incident to authorities, terminated its relationship with the vendor, and enhanced its security measures. The majority of stolen tickets were for Taylor Swift's concerts, but others included performances by Adele, Ed Sheeran, and events like NBA games and the U.S. Open Tennis Championships. Investigators are still assessing the full scope of the operation and identifying potential additional co-conspirators.