Six charged over '£5m online fraud' involving Olympics ticket sales

(David Ashdown)

Six people have been charged over an alleged £5m online ticket scam involving ticket sales for the Beijing Olympics and other sporting and music events.

Terence Shepherd, 51, Allan Schaverien, 65, Alan Scott, 55, Cyril Gold, 67, Geert van Meel, 52, and Margaret Canty-Shepherd, 49, are facing various fraud charges.

The allegations are in connection with the Xclusive Tickets Limited and Xclusive Leisure & Hospitality companies.

The six defendants are due to appear at Camberwell magistrates' court, in London, on 15 October.

The Serious Fraud Office said all six were from the London area.

The parents of double Olympic swimming champion Rebecca Adlington, Steve and Kay Adlington, are believed to be among the alleged victims.

They lost £1,100 attempting to buy tickets for the Beijing games last year.

Mr Shepherd, Mr Schaverien, Mr Scott and Mr Gold are charged with fraudulent trading in relation the operation of the Xclusive companies. Mr Shepherd and Mr Scott are charged with fraud relating to the unauthorised sale of football tickets by the Xclusive companies.

Mr Shepherd and Mr van Meel are charged with fraud offences relating to the unauthorised sale of football tickets by the Online Ticket Exchange Ltd. Mr Shepherd and Ms Canty-Shepherd are both accused of money laundering.

Mr Shepherd also faces a further charge of breaching a directors disqualification order.