University of Michigan Auditorium Targeted in Alleged Online Ticket Scam
The Hill Auditorium at the University of Michigan has become the center of an alleged online ticket resale scheme, according to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. The investigation involves a company called Pure Tonic Marketing Ltd., which prosecutors believe is based in Seychelles, and an unknown operator associated with a website named Ticket Squeeze.
Prosecutors claim that Pure Tonic operated a website called thehillauditorium.com, which falsely appeared to be affiliated with the university’s venue. The site advertised tickets for events at Hill Auditorium but redirected users to ticketsqueeze.com, where tickets were allegedly sold at “grossly excessive prices” while appearing to be available at “cheaper” or “low” rates.
The University Musical Society, a nonprofit organization that presents performing arts events and sells tickets through its official website, was the first to report the issue to Nessel’s office. This nonprofit hosts performances at Hill Auditorium and relies on its official site for ticket sales.
In one specific case, a customer believed they were purchasing tickets from an official source and paid $1,263.95 for two tickets to a Berlin Philharmonic concert through thehillauditorium.com. However, those same tickets were listed for $175 each on the official University Musical Society website.
Nessel emphasized that while Hill Auditorium is the focus of the initial complaint, other venues may also have been targeted by this alleged scheme. “Misleading customers into thinking they are purchasing tickets from a trusted source, while charging them excessively high prices is unlawful,” she said in a statement. “I appreciate the University Musical Society for bringing this matter to our attention. My office will continue to investigate and pursue bad actors to protect Michigan consumers from this kind of exploitation.”
Sara Billmann, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the University Musical Society, highlighted the growing problem of ticket resellers who purchase tickets solely to sell them at inflated prices. “This has been a scourge in the performing arts industry,” she said. “In addition to the direct harm caused to customers by predatory secondary market pricing and absurdly high fees, nonprofit arts organizations are also seriously impacted, both financially and reputationally.”
Billmann added that the society is grateful for the Attorney General’s office taking these complaints seriously and working to protect consumers. She noted that the university recently won a domain dispute against Pure Tonic in 2024, which forced thehillauditorium.com to redirect to the University Musical Society’s official site. However, another website has reportedly emerged and is allegedly engaging in similar practices.
Tips for Consumers When Buying Tickets Online
To help protect themselves from similar scams, Nessel offers the following advice:
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Know the vendor: Consumers should ensure they are buying from a reputable website, especially before providing any personal financial information. Scammers can easily create “spoof” websites with addresses that mimic legitimate ones.
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Conduct research: Those unfamiliar with a ticket vendor can call the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team at 877-765-8388 to check if there are any complaints on file. However, the absence of complaints does not guarantee legitimacy.
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Use credit: When purchasing tickets online, especially via auction sites, it is recommended to use a credit card. Credit cards often provide additional protections compared to cash, checks, or apps like Venmo and Cash App.
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Shop securely: A secure website typically begins with “https,” indicating that the site is encrypted. Another sign of security is a closed lock icon displayed at the bottom of the screen when entering personal information.
If you believe you have been a victim of an online ticket scam, you are encouraged to contact Michigan’s Consumer Protection Team at 517-335-7599. You can also fill out an online complaint form for further assistance.
