Further arrest in Blackfriars Road online ticket fraud investigation

In an investigation into complaints about failure by companies to supply at least 4,000 tickets for events such as the Beijing Olympics, music festivals and football matches, 545 completed questionnaires have been provided to the SFO.

The investigation centres on the activities of Xclusive Tickets Limited, Xclusive Leisure & Hospitality Limited and related companies which were formerly based at 202 Blackfriars Road, on the corner with Scoresby Street.

"I am delighted with the response to our appeal," says SFO director Richard Alderman.

"It's given us some very useful information and I hope that the public will continue to support us in this way."

Xclusive customers who have yet to fill in the form are invited to do so via the SFO's website.

A 65-year old man has this week been arrested (with the assistance of the Surrey Police), interviewed and released on unconditional bail. This arrest follows those of four men (ages 41, 50, 51 and 54) and a woman (49) who were arrested, interviewed and released on unconditional bail last November.

The investigation, which was prompted by complaints from the public, is looking into a suspected online ticket fraud. The case opened in September 2008 following a referral to the SFO from the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.

Notices from BERR's investigation department can be seen in the window of the former Xclusive premises.

Both of the Xclusive companies have been in liquidation since September 2008. The Xclusive companies sold tickets online for a wide variety of events including the Beijing Olympics and various summer music festivals in the UK.

The SFO says that families of UK Olympic contestants were amongst those who paid for tickets but did not receive them. Customers from more than 60 countries bought tickets for the Beijing games and other events including well known music festivals in the UK, such as the V Festival, Reading Festival and Leeds Festival but did not receive tickets or refunds.