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Olympics Desk
Officers from the Metropolitan Police Service's (MPS) Operation Podium team are reminding buyers to be careful of unauthorised and illegal ticket scams as Paralympic tickets go on sale on Friday 9 September until 1800hrs on 26 September. If you want to know your ticket is real follow Podium's simple advice to avoid being scammed, conned or having your personal details stolen.
Detective Chief Inspector Nick Downing, in charge of Operation Podium said: "We have already seen the demand for Olympic tickets which gives criminals greater opportunity to run scams, sell non existent tickets and even steal your personal and credit card details to use in other crimes.
"Now that Paralympic tickets are on sale, don't get caught out. Follow our simple and easy advice to make sure the ticket you buy is real. In the UK the only official place to apply for tickets is through the London 2012 application process."
As more and more ticket sales being done over the internet smart criminals know how easy it is to set up professional looking fake sites. Make sure you don't fall for them.
The advice includes some key checkpoints when buying a ticket for the Games.
-Applications for tickets to the London 2012 Paralympic Games open at 0900hrs on Friday 9 September. In the UK the official place to apply for tickets is through the official London 2012 ticketing website at www.tickets.london2012.com. You can also apply with a paper application form within the official ticketing guide and application form from any Lloyds TSB branch, Bank of Scotland branch in Scotland or from any public library in Northern Ireland.
- Outside of the UK London 2012 Paralympic Games tickets will be sold through the country's National Paralympic Committee or their authorised ticket retailer from 9 September. You should check the London 2012 ticketing website for details of who these are for your country.
- The official application process for UK and EU residents for Olympic Games tickets is now closed. You should check the London 2012 ticketing site for details of future ticket sales and the latest information about the Games.
- There are only three official providers for Games Breaks and Hospitality Packages - these are:
Thomas Cook - www.thomascooklondon2012.com
Prestige Travel - www.prestigeticketing.london2012.com
Jet Set Travel - www.jetsetsports.com
- Other websites or companies will not be authorised to sell you a ticket as part of a package in the UK. Always check the terms and conditions to see exactly what you are being sold;
-If you get a ticket for an event you can't attend, London 2012 will operate an official ticket resale programme. Check their website checker at http://www.london2012.com/about-this-website/ticketing-website-checker.php for further details.
- If you find Olympic or Paralympic Games tickets for sale from any unauthorised source at anytime, don't buy them. They are not genuine. Report it to your local police or London 2012 via brandprotection@london2012.com
For full crime prevention advice on safe ways to buy your ticket visit the MPS website at http://www.met.police.uk/olympic_and_paralympic_games_policing
+ Notes to Editors
Operation Podium is a dedicated team within the MPS Specialist Crime Directorate.
Established in June 2010, the team is funded through the Home Office Olympics safety and security budget.
The remit of Podium is to prevent and investigate a range of serious and organised crime affecting the Olympic economy. Podium was created based on experience from previous Games around the world, major concerts and sporting events that have shown the range of crimes that criminals may be planning to carry out involving London 2012.
The team is structured into a Proactive Prevention Team; Proactive Investigation Teams; Intelligence Development Unit; and E-Crime Team.
Proactive Prevention Team - their key priority is to prevent opportunities for criminal networks to operate. Manages liaison with industry through a broad range of groups to share intelligence and best practice. Provide advice and learning for key stakeholders.
Proactive Investigation Teams - officers proactively identify and disrupt organised criminals working in this area. Currently targeting those people linked to crimes targeting major sporting and music events to disrupt them from operating in 2012. The team work in partnership with other enforcement agencies and will use a full range of legislation to ensure whatever action can be taken, is taken.
Intelligence Development Unit - dedicated team to research and develop intelligence relating to Podium's key targets.
E-crime Team - sitting under the umbrella of the Police Central E Crime Unit (PeCU) this team investigate offences relating to illegal on line ticket sales, misuse of the internet structure to commit crime, and mass data theft.
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