The website TicketBewust.nl was created in collaboration with the Fraud Helpdesk, Marktplaats, and other social partners. Visitors are lured through ads on Marktplaats and directed to the website, where exclusive tickets are offered for sold-out concerts by well-known artists such as Lady Gaga, Typhoon, and Roxy Dekker. You can also “buy” tickets for Ajax football matches there. Always the best seats for the best price.

Marktplaats ads

Between October 30, 2025, and January 11, 2026, people saw an ad for TicketBewust.nl on Marktplaats more than 300,000 times. Over 30,000 people clicked on it and viewed the ad. The fake webshop was clicked through 7,402 times. Despite built-in clues that it was a fake webshop, 3,432 people tried to actually order a ticket. Instead, they ended up on a police page with tips to avoid becoming a victim of ticket fraud.

Many victims

TicketBewust.nl is not the first fake webshop from the police; a year ago, they launched pakjedealsnu.nl to raise awareness about purchase fraud risks. We have now focused on ticket fraud because it is also a big problem, says Gijs van der Linden, team leader of the National Internet Fraud Reporting Center (LMIO). The police receive about 50,000 reports of online fraud annually; 10 percent relate to ticket fraud. We also know that many people, about 80 percent, do not report ticket fraud because the amounts are relatively small. In reality, many more people are being scammed this way.

Smart scammers

The fake website was created because we see how clever and convincing scammers operate, says Van der Linden. Scammers are cunning: that one highly desired ticket suddenly seems available. You want to act quickly, and they use that moment to scam you. We dont want to mislead people but raise awareness. This can happen to anyone. The entertainment and football sectors also notice this. They have to disappoint many people when their tickets turn out to be fake. That is why they cooperate in this awareness campaign.

‘Too good to be true’

TicketBewust.nl uses the same tricks as real fake webshops. The offers on the site are too good to be true, explains Vander Linden. We only “sell” tickets for sold-out concerts. For attentive visitors, there are also hidden clues that it is a fake webshop. People can, for example, check the Chamber of Commerce number or the address. These belong to the police. There are more things you can check to see if a site is trustworthy or not.

Tips against ticket fraud

  • When buying a ticket, always go to the official website of the organizer, location, event, or artist. There you will find the link to the official presale address. Most tickets for events in the Netherlands are sold by Eventim, Ticketmaster, NTK, or via ticket systems such as See Tickets, CM.com, GUTS tickets, Eventix, Stager, and Ticketkantoor.
  • If the event is sold out, be cautious with offers via other sites and sales platforms. These are often fake tickets or delivery is not made.
  • If you bought tickets from a private seller, do not pay in advance and pick up the tickets from the seller.
  • If you have doubts about a sales channel, check at Check the (seller/buyer) whether there are reports of fraud for that party. You can also contact the Fraud Helpdesk for assistance.
  • If you have been scammed, immediately request a refund in writing or by email from the party where you bought your ticket. If there is no response, file a report.
  • For more tips against ticket fraud, visit weetwaarjekoopt.nl and politie.nl.
  • Tips for recognizing fake webshops can be found at the Fraud Helpdesk.

Social partners

The polices awareness campaign against ticket fraud is a unique collaboration with social partners. Besides Marktplaats and the Fraud Helpdesk, participants include ACM ConsuWijzer, Ajax, AVROTROS Opgelicht?!, the Consumers Association, the European Consumer Centre, Eventim, iDEAL, the KNVB, SIDN, Stichting Achmea Rechtsbijstand, Thuiswinkel Waarborg, Ticketmaster, Trustpilot, Veiliginternetten.nl, the Association of Event Makers, and Weetwaarjekoopt.nl. The fake webshop TicketBewust.nl was developed free of charge by Capgemini.