Conman duped Adele and Timberlake fans with bogus gig tickets

Craig Hookham scammed former clients from his time with Manchester City, Sale Sharks and Salford Red Devils

A conman scammed more than 50 people into believing they bought tickets for artists such as Adele and Justin Timberlake in a complex global fraud.

Ex-Manchester City Football Club, Sale Sharks and Salford Red Devils employee Craig Hookham, 39, also sold bogus tickets for sporting events.

Police said he netted more than £180,000 with his fraud.

He was sentenced to two years four months at Manchester Crown Court after admitting his crimes.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said Hookham, of Medlock Way in Whitefield, used Covid and strict lockdown conditions in 2020 to make his victims think the events had been postponed.

The court heard that by the time he left his job at Sale Sharks in the summer of 2018 he had an excellent reputation for sourcing tickets for hospitality events.

He used this reputation when contacting ex-clients and their associates to offer tickets for rugby and football matches, as well as private, intimate concerts by several artists.

Hookham claimed the hospitality packages included a three-course meal, champagne reception and host/hostess service, with all drinks included.

The tickets, for events in late 2019 and in 2020, also included meet-and-greets with the artists, acoustic sets after the concerts, and photo opportunities with the stars.

His fraud was uncovered when a victim became suspicious that the events he had bought tickets for were being repeatedly postponed.

His investigation uncovered Hookham's fraudulent activities.

Specialist forensic teams within GMP examined Hookham's digital devices, which revealed he had conned people worldwide.

GMP Det Con David Potter said: "We would like to thank the victims, some of whom do not reside in the UK, for coming forwards and cooperating with the investigation.

"Without this support, we wouldn't have achieved today's result."