Fake Ticket Warnings: How to Spot Scams and Avoid London Tourist Traps

When you’re planning a trip to London, the last thing you want is to pay for a ticket that doesn’t exist. Fake ticket warnings, alerts about counterfeit or non-existent event and attraction tickets sold to unsuspecting visitors. Also known as tourist ticket scams, these frauds target people who don’t know where to buy legitimate tickets—and they’re more common than you think. Scammers set up fake websites that look like official ones, stand outside major attractions with printed tickets, or even send phishing texts pretending to be from the British Museum or the London Eye. They know you’re tired, excited, and just want to see the sights. Don’t let them take your money and your day.

These scams aren’t just about money. They waste your time, ruin your mood, and sometimes leave you locked out of a sold-out show with no recourse. The London ticket scams, fraudulent sales of entry passes to paid attractions, concerts, or tours. Also known as fake event tickets, it often happens at places like the Changing of the Guard, ABBA Voyage, or Sky Garden—spots where lines are long and people are desperate to skip them. You’ll see someone holding a clipboard saying, "Skip the queue, £20," or a website with a .co.uk domain that’s not the real one. Always check the official site. The real London Eye ticket site ends in .co.uk, not .org or .net. The real British Museum is free—so if someone’s selling you a "fast pass," they’re lying.

The tourist scams London, deceptive practices targeting visitors with false promises of discounts, guided tours, or priority access. Also known as London attraction fraud, it doesn’t just happen online. You might get approached by someone in a suit offering a "private tour" of Buckingham Palace, or a "free" map that leads you to a gift shop where everything’s overpriced. These aren’t guides—they’re salespeople. Real free museum days don’t need a ticket. Real Changing of the Guard doesn’t cost extra to see from the front. And real Londoners? They know where to go, when to go, and never pay for something they can get for free.

There’s no magic trick to avoiding these scams—just one rule: if it sounds too good to be true, it is. If you’re being told you can skip a line for half price, or get backstage access to a concert, or buy a "limited edition" ticket for Big Ben, walk away. Check the official website. Look for the .gov.uk or .org.uk domain. Call the venue directly if you’re unsure. And never give your card details to someone on the street. Even if they’re wearing a uniform, it’s not real. London has enough real magic—don’t let a fake ticket steal it from you.

Below, you’ll find real advice from people who’ve been burned—and how to make sure you don’t end up in the same spot. From where to buy tickets safely to what to do if you’ve already been scammed, these posts give you the tools to travel smarter. No fluff. No hype. Just what actually works in London.