London Marathon Slots for Sale: Beware of Fraudsters Targeting Runners’ Cash!

You were unsuccessful in securing a spot through the London marathon ballot and had resigned yourself to not participating this year. However, you come across a post in a running app discussion group from someone claiming they need to sell their entry due to an injury.

After reaching out via WhatsApp, they instruct you to transfer £79 by bank payment, and provide your full name and email address to transfer the entry to you.

Unfortunately, this is a fraudulent scheme, particularly prevalent in the weeks leading up to the event on April 26, as enthusiasm peaks among runners eager to join one of the globe’s most renowned races.

The London Marathon organizers clearly state that under “no circumstances” can a marathon entry be transferred from one person to another.

“It is completely false to claim that a TCS London Marathon entry can be sold or transferred,” they explain.

“For multiple reasons, including safety and medical, all entries to the TCS London Marathon are strictly non-transferable. Our entry terms and conditions explicitly prohibit participants from exchanging entries, or permitting others to use their race number,” they add.

Recognizing the Scam

This type of scam often features poor use of grammar and punctuation.

“Hello everybody I’m still looking to sell my ticket, If anyone missed out on a spot in the marathon entry. I it and would like to transfer my registration,” the message might read, followed by a WhatsApp contact number.

Upon contacting, the scammer might claim the entry was secured through a ballot but can be updated on the marathon’s official site after you submit your personal details and pay a £79 fee. The actual entry fee is £79.99.

Steps to Take

Marathon organizers advise only signing up through official means, which typically involves entering the ballot or securing a spot through a charity.

Several warning signs indicate a fraudulent sale, such as requests for payment via bank transfer, which lacks the protections associated with credit card payments, including section 75 protections. Other red flags include poor spelling and grammar.

If you suspect you’ve been scammed, you should immediately contact the London Marathon’s official organizers through their website, and reach out to Report Fraud. Be sure to document all interactions with the scammer.

Fitness app Strava states: “Engaging in deception, misleading others, or promoting fraudulent activities is forbidden, and accounts found in violation will be suspended. This prohibition includes exploiting bib transfers to commit fraud.”

Strava also provides methods to report profiles that violate its policies on its website.