Fake Olympics Website Warning Issued

Rogue websites have attempted to sell fake tickets for events at the London 2012 Olympic games, it has been revealed.

Consumer group Which? found the sites had traded under the guise of the Olympics, selling unauthorised tickets for events that will not be available until 2011.

It is believed the information handed over to these site by members of the public could be used to commit identity theft.

Calls have been made for tighter controls in the online ticket market.

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games has reminded sports fans that tickets will only be available through official channels.

According to Which? a bogus site could be set-up for less than £7.

A spokesman for the group said: "Criminals are limbering up for a spate of Olympic-related crime.

"Several websites are, amazingly, already promising tickets that don't exist. There needs to be much stronger regulation of this area to stop con men running off with our money."

UK does not regulate on who can register a domain name, unlike other part of the European Union.

London games organisers said they would be working closely with police to tackle bogus sellers.

"Any company or individual claiming to be selling or reserving tickets now is not a legitimate source," said a spokesman for the organising committee.

(PR/BMcc)