Footy fans desperate for tickets are being urged to be aware of scalpers with at least 170 tickets cancelled for breaching state laws.
Victorian authorities cancelled 169 tickets to games in the first week of the AFL finals series alone.
Stay up-to-date on the latest news with The National Briefing – keeping you in the loop with news as it hits:
The Herald Sun revealed at least six infringement notices were issued to secondary ticket sellers for Victoria-based finals alone in week one.
Individuals face fines of $962 and companies, $576,930, if caught selling dodgy tickets.
Collingwood, Carlton, and Melbourne fans were most affected, doing whatever they could to secure a ticket to sold out qualifying and elimination final matches.
It is illegal to sell AFL finals tickets for more than 10 per cent of face value, however it didn’t stop scalpers from selling tickets up to four time the original price.
One person tried to sell two tickets to the Carlton vs Sydney match for $188.50 – their original price just $44.
Another person was caught selling three tickets to the Collingwood vs Melbourne game for $270 – their original cost $66.
“We’re making sure footy fans are paying a fair price for their tickets, so everyone has the best possible chance to cheer on their footy idols in the finals,” Sport and Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos told The Herald Sun.
“That’s why every finals match being played in our state, including the AFL Grand Final is protected by our strict ticket scalping laws.”
To remind patrons to be careful of scammers, the MCG will show warnings on their scoreboards throughout the finals series.