Ticket scammer cheats Ajax fans out of tens of thousands of euros | OneFootball

A man from Purmerend, known as “You Ne” has scammed dozens of Ajax fans by selling overpriced, nonexistent season tickets, according to the Noordhollands Dagblad.

Victims of the fraud are demanding their payments back, which for some can amount to over 25,000 euros. ‘You Ne’ has been selling tickets as an intermediary for eight years, both for season tickets and individual matches.

“You can be the middleman between the producer and the customer; I’m the middleman between the club and the fan. Ajax knew about it too; they never liked what I did,” says “You Ne” about his own approach. “It’s a bit of a hobby that’s got out of hand. If you look at my Marktplaats account, you’ll see over a hundred five-star reviews.”

Many affected supporters fear they will never be refunded. Warnings are now being shared on social media and in WhatsApp groups, with Ajax calling the situation “incredibly unpleasant”. The club have advised those affected to report the incident to the police.

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – OCTOBER 23: General view outside the stadium prior to the Group E match of the UEFA Champions League between Ajax and SL Benfica at Johan Cruyff Arena on October 23, 2018 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

According to an online list, dozens of fans from across the country have bought tickets from “You Ne” in recent months. The total damages, according to this list, amount to approximately €350,000. The Noordhollands Dagblad cites amounts of €5,000 and €6,000 for four season tickets, €2,000 for one, and €5,400 for three. One fan, named Jack, reportedly spent more than €25,000 on 18 season tickets.

So far, not a single supporter has received a season ticket. “You Ne” claims to have initiated refunds. Screenshots are also circulating in which the retailer promises that payments will be processed and that fans should be patient. However, these deadlines are repeatedly postponed. The retailer claims to have already been on “numerous vacations,” visited Disneyland, purchased a new car, and flown business class.

In a statement to the NHD, Ajax stated that it knows the dealer. In November, the Purmerend native was already banned from the Johan Cruyff Arena due to “an altercation with a steward.” Due to his ticketing practices, that ban has been extended until 2031.

“You Ne” himself sees nothing illegal in his practices. “I don’t have a contract with Ajax, do I?” he stated in an interview with the NHD. He also claims the victims’ money hasn’t disappeared. “I just can’t transfer it to everyone at once without the bank saying anything. It’s done in rounds, and hopefully, I’ll have it all sorted within a month.” Nevertheless, he continues his practices and has offered tickets earlier this month.

GBeNeFN | Max Bradfield