Man sentenced to 28 months in prison for a global fraud operation that netted over £180,000

A Whitefield man has been sentenced to 28 months in prison for a complex global fraud operation that netted over £180,000.

The former employee of Manchester City Football Club, Sale Sharks and Salford Red Devils defrauded over 50 people into believing they were purchasing concert tickets for high profile artists and a number of football/rugby matches at a variety of venues all over the country.

Craig Hookham (15/03/1985) of Medlock Way in Whitefield, used Covid and strict lockdown conditions in 2019 to make his victims believe that the events had been postponed, in order to hide the truth - that there weren’t any such events taking place.

The court heard how the 39-year-old, who left his employment at Sale Sharks in the summer of 2018, had previously gained an excellent working reputation for sourcing tickets for hospitality events. He used this reputation when contacting ex-clients and their associates to offer tickets for sale for rugby and football matches, as well as private intimate concerts of several artists, including Adele and Justin Timberlake.

He made out that the hospitality packages included a three-course meal, champagne reception and host/hostess service, with all drinks being included. The fictitious tickets also included meet-and-greet with the artists with an acoustic set for after the concert, tea and coffee served during interval and finally, an opportunity to take a photograph with the artist - to take place at a hotel in Manchester in late 2019 and 2020.

The fraud was only uncovered when one of his victims became suspicious after the events he had bought tickets for kept being postponed. His investigation uncovered Hookham’s fraudulent activities.

After an initial police interview in September 2020, Hookham’s digital devices were confiscated and examined by specialist forensic teams within GMP. These detailed the size of the fraud Hookham had carried out, reaching across the globe.

He subsequently pleaded guilty.

DC David Potter of Bury CID said: “First of all, we would like to thank the victims, some of whom do not reside in the UK, for coming forwards and cooperating with the investigation. Without this support, we wouldn’t have achieved today’s result.

“As a force, Greater Manchester Police is committed to identifying and stopping fraudulent activity with the area and we would encourage anyone who feels they have been a victim to come forwards and report it to us.”

GMP can be contacted by calling 101 or through the Live Chat function on the website www.gmp.police.uk.