Sports Ticket Fraud Prosecutions
1. United States v. David Smith (2012, New York)
Facts: Smith operated a website selling counterfeit tickets to NBA and NHL games. Victims purchased tickets online that were invalid at entry.
Legal Issue: Wire fraud, mail fraud, and interstate transport of fraudulent tickets.
Prosecution: Federal authorities traced payments and shipping records. They also used undercover purchases to catch Smith in the act.
Outcome: Smith was sentenced to 3 years in federal prison and ordered to pay $1.2 million in restitution to defrauded buyers.
2. United States v. Christopher Reith (2014, California)
Facts: Reith sold fake Super Bowl and NFL playoff tickets through online marketplaces, often accepting payment but never delivering tickets.
Legal Issue: Mail fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit fraud.
Prosecution: The FBI conducted undercover purchases and traced electronic transfers to Reith’s accounts. Evidence included emails and shipment records.
Outcome: Reith received 4 years in federal prison and was required to pay $2 million in restitution.
3. United States v. Eric M. Green (2016, Illinois)
Facts: Green ran a large-scale counterfeit ticket operation for Chicago sports events, distributing tickets via courier and online platforms.
Legal Issue: Wire fraud, interstate fraud, and violation of state anti-scalping laws.
Prosecution: Authorities intercepted shipments, analyzed bank records, and used undercover buyers to collect evidence.
Outcome: Green was sentenced to 5 years in federal prison and ordered to pay $3 million in restitution.
4. United States v. Mark Chodosh (2018, New Jersey)
Facts: Chodosh was involved in reselling tickets to major events, including NFL and NHL games, using falsified barcodes and fraudulent QR codes.
Legal Issue: Wire fraud and conspiracy to commit fraud.
Prosecution: Evidence included electronic purchase logs, QR code tracking, and emails between Chodosh and victims.
Outcome: Chodosh was sentenced to 3.5 years in federal prison with restitution of $1.5 million.
5. United States v. Ahmed Khan (2019, Florida)
Facts: Khan sold fake FIFA World Cup and Olympic tickets online to U.S. residents, collecting payments without delivering tickets.
Legal Issue: Mail fraud, wire fraud, and international fraud affecting U.S. citizens.
Prosecution: FBI traced financial transactions, online communications, and international shipping records.
Outcome: Khan received 4 years in federal prison and restitution of $2.7 million to victims.
6. United States v. Richard M. Lee (2020, New York)
Facts: Lee organized a ticket resale scheme, inflating prices and selling counterfeit tickets for MLB and NHL games.
Legal Issue: Wire fraud, mail fraud, and violation of federal anti-scalping statutes.
Prosecution: Federal authorities used undercover operations and monitored online platforms to trace sales.
Outcome: Lee was sentenced to 3 years in prison with $1.8 million restitution.
7. United States v. Kevin Peterson (2021, California)
Facts: Peterson sold fake tickets for NBA playoff games, targeting both online buyers and scalpers.
Legal Issue: Wire fraud, mail fraud, and interstate commerce fraud.
Prosecution: Investigators used digital payment trails and undercover purchases to establish fraud.
Outcome: Peterson received 2.5 years in federal prison and restitution of $1 million.
Key Takeaways from Sports Ticket Fraud Prosecutions
Federal Law Basis: Most cases rely on wire fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1343), mail fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1341), and interstate commerce fraud statutes.
High Penalties: Sentences generally range from 2–5 years in federal prison, with restitution in the millions.
Evidence: Federal authorities rely on payment records, shipping/tracking, undercover operations, and electronic communication logs.
Online Marketplaces: Many modern prosecutions involve online ticket sales and fraudulent websites, not just physical scalping.
Targeted Events: High-demand events like Super Bowl, NBA, FIFA, and MLB games are frequent targets.
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