You might think you’re pretty good at spotting a scam – I did. Flat-hunting in Facebook groups? It’s obvious which too-goodto-be-true apartments are not legit. Tickets to long-sold-out gigs magically available at face value on X? Sure, Jan. Text messages claiming to be Evri with an unexpected parcel? Seen that before. I thought I was sooo savvy, quietly going “Nope!” as I deleted them and thinking oof, ima ne being caught out like that.
And then I got a message from James.
James* is someone I know vaguely and see maybe once a year. He’s my dad’s partner’s son and lives near them in the Midlands. Occasionally, he’ll message me on Facebook Messenger to say “Merry Christmas!” and I’ll say “You too!” – then we won’t speak again for months and months. So it was unusual to get a Facebook message from him, but not outlandish.
James had managed to get some Coldplay tickets for next year but couldn’t make the show any more. Did I know anyone looking for some? It made sense for him to ask me – I live in London, I write about music, I’m often at gigs and, in a world of cynics, I have a soft spot for Coldplay. Plus, I love brokering tickets between friends. It makes me feel really good to help someone get into a show they really want to go to. “Ooh, I think I do know some people who tried and didn’t get any!” I wrote back, already thrilled at the idea of helping out. “Let me ask around.”
I put James in touch with my friend Mike*, whose mum hadn’t managed to get tickets. Over the next few hours, I was vaguely aware that Mike was sending £240 to a “business bank account” and that James’s friend who owned the account had an interesting name with suggestive connotations – “Charley White” – but mostly I ignored the chat and went about my day with the warm, smug glow of someone who’s done a good thing.
Bu hikaye The Independent dergisinin October 23, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Independent dergisinin October 23, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Why Is Starmer So Against An EU Youth Travel Scheme?
The prime minister has once again been urged to agree to a limited scheme to allow young people to travel freely between the UK and the EU for the purposes of work or study, and has once again signalled his refusal to consider it.
Why home advantage has lost its sting in Test series.
“The tour is only a matter of hours old, but the wry thought occurs to me that reputations will almost certainly be destroyed in the next few months.”
North can't compete with south's individual X factor
Ex-Lions captain Sam Warburton has a theory why southern hemisphere teams have dominated the autumn internationals
Aimless Villa stagger to bore draw against Juventus
Aston Villa and Unai Emery have run out of ideas, far too early in the Spaniard’s previously exhilarating revolution.
Reds humble Real and Slot does what Klopp could not
A few weeks ago, it was possible to look at Arne Slot’s seemingly impressive start at Liverpool, adopt a sceptical tone and ask who they had really beaten.
Vauxhall's closure shows No 10 must recharge EV rules
Electric vehicles aren't selling in the volume anticipated and James Moore says government is right to order a swift review
Nationwide banks £2bn in takeover of Virgin Money
Nationwide has gained £2.3bn following its acquisition of Virgin Money, according to the firm’s half-year results.
Red Sea boat survivors were trapped in cabins, says diver
Two Britons who were on the yacht remain unaccounted for
Record snowfall leaves Seoul scrambling to cope
Transport chaos and power cuts hit city as two die on roads
Myanmar junta chief faces crimes against humanity charge for Rohingya deaths
Arrest warrant requested by International Criminal Court
