Authorities have apprehended two individuals in connection with a cybercrime case involving the unauthorised acquisition of over 900 concert tickets, most of which were for Taylor Swift's highly sought-after "Eras Tour".

The suspects, identified as Tyrone Rose and Shamara Simmons, have been charged with fraud after allegedly exploiting a vulnerability in the ticketing system. Prosecutors allege that the operation generated more than $600,000 in illicit profits.

Through this loophole, they gained access to tickets that had already been marked as sold out by using their original URLs. They then resold these tickets at exorbitant prices via an offshore vendor linked to StubHub.

On February 27, the two individuals were formally charged with grand larceny, computer tampering, and conspiracy. If found guilty, they could face prison terms ranging from three to 15 years. 

The case was brought to the attention of prosecutors following an internal investigation by StubHub.

The scheme was uncovered after approximately 1,000 tickets linked to 350 StubHub transactions were reported stolen. 

This fraudulent activity occurred between June 2022 and July 2023. Prosecutors revealed that the suspects had exploited their access to StubHub's digital infrastructure, identifying a hidden entry point that allowed them to retrieve URLs for sold tickets before they were officially emailed to buyers.

The compromised ticket URLs were then distributed to accomplices, who downloaded the tickets and resold them on StubHub. 

The majority of the stolen tickets were for major events, including concerts by Taylor Swift, Adele, and Ed Sheeran, as well as high-demand sporting events such as NBA games and the US Open Tennis Championships.

Law enforcement officials are actively investigating the case, seeking to identify any additional individuals who may have played a role in the scheme.

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In an official statement, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz addressed the charges, stating, "These defendants allegedly exploited the immense demand for Taylor Swift's tour and other major events to line their pockets at the expense of genuine fans."