California tech firm illegally snagged millions of Beyoncé, Post Malone tickets in billion-dollar scheme: Feds

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   DOJ and FTC Sue San Diego Ticket Broker REPS & Company for BOTS Act Violations

   The Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission filed a complaint against San Diego-based REPS & Company and executives Ryan Pancheri, Brian Archibald, and Nicholas Totagrande. Federal authorities allege the firm used bots to illegally acquire 18.5 million tickets for artists including Beyonce, Post Malone, and Pitbull. The DOJ claims the company spent 1.3 billion dollars on tickets and generated nearly 121 million dollars in profit through resale. The lawsuit alleges these tactics violated the Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act and the FTC Act.

   Why it matters

   The BOTS Act prohibits the use of software to bypass security measures on ticketing websites to hoard seats. This case highlights federal efforts to curb predatory scalping that inflates prices for concertgoers.

   What is confirmed

   • The Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission filed a complaint against REPS & Company Inc. and executives Ryan Pancheri, Brian Archibald, and Nicholas Totagrande.
   • The lawsuit alleges the company illegally bought 18.5 million tickets for artists such as Beyonce and Post Malone.
   • The government claims the firm violated the Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act and the FTC Act.
   • REPS & Company is based in San Diego, California.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The company made approximately 833,323 dollars in profit from scalping 7,624 tickets to a single Renaissance concert.
   • The broker spent 1.3 billion dollars on tickets to generate nearly 121 million dollars in profit.
   • The scheme netted 120 million dollars flipping tickets.

   What to watch next

   • Court rulings on the BOTS Act violations
   • Legal responses or filings from Ryan Pancheri, Brian Archibald, and Nicholas Totagrande
   • Potential settlement agreements between REPS & Company and the federal government
   Sources used for this update (14)

   1. Billboard — DOJ Sues Broker That Allegedly Netted $120M Flipping Tickets to Beyoncé & More Tours
   2. Rolling Stone — Broker Accused of Illegally Buying 18.5 Million Tickets for Beyoncé, Post Malone, and More
   3. The Hollywood Reporter — Feds Sue Ticket Broker Firm Over Alleged $120M Scheme For Beyoncé, Pitbull Tickets
   4. Yahoo — Broker Accused of Illegally Buying 18.5 Million Tickets to Beyoncé, Post Malone, and More
   5. Paste Magazine — San Diego company accused of illegally scalping 18.5 million tickets
   6. San Diego Union-Tribune — Trump administration sues San Diego company for alleged massive ticket scalping scheme
   7. New York Post — California tech firm illegally snagged millions of Beyoncé, Post Malone tickets in billion-dollar scheme: Feds
   8. WSOC TV — US government tries to crack down on alleged resale ticket schemes
   9. www.justice.gov — Justice Department Files Complaint Against California Ticket ...
   10. www.hollywoodreporter.com — DOJ, FTC Sue Ticket Broker Over Alleged $120M BOTS Act Violation
   11. nypost.com — California tech firm illegally snagged millions of Beyoncé ...
   12. article.wn.com — California tech firm illegally snagged millions of Beyonc ...
   confidence 95%