Exclusive: Notorious tout cashes in on phantom Hampden gig for Madonna

Jun 29 2008 By Lynn McPherson

BRITAIN'S most notorious tout is fleecing Madonna fans by selling tickets for a non-existent Scots gig.

Michael Rangos' online agency London Tickets Express advertised the Hampden Park show even though the pop queen's Sticky&Sweet tour does not include a Scottish date.

Rumours of a Hampden gig swept the music scene earlier this year. They were quickly proved false but the touts wasted no time in cashing in.

One fan lost £185 after ordering a pair of front row tickets for the phantom concert at the national stadium on September 16.

The angry music lover, who asked not to be named, said: "The website looked genuine. The price seemed a bit on the high side but I felt it was worth paying. I feel gutted at being duped but hopefully the Sunday Mail exposing this company will stop anyone else being ripped off."

Wealthy Rangos, 32, was behind four ticket firms wound up at the High Court in London in March.

The companies - trading as London Ticket Shop and London Ticket Market - were shut down for taking cash but failing to provide tickets.

Another of Rangos' firms, Getmetickets, often left people stranded outside after they had paid for tickets that did not exist.

The Sunday Mail tried to contact London Tickets Express and Rangos but received no response.

Susan Rosenberg, of Sticky & Sweet tour promoters Live Nation, said: "There will always be people trying to take advantage of others. We encourage fans to buy from legitimate ticket outlets only."