Entertainment · October 15, 2026
DOJ Sues Broker That Allegedly Netted $120M Flipping Tickets to Beyoncé & More Tours
The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have filed a civil lawsuit against San Diego-based ticket broker REPS & Co. and its executives. The lawsuit alleges that the firm violated the 2016 Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act by using automated software, thousands of proxy accounts, and offshore workers to bypass ticket limits and security measures on platforms like Ticketmaster and AXS. According to the complaint, the company spent $1.3 billion to acquire over 18.5 million tickets for more than 83,000 events since 2022, netting over $120 million in profit. The legal action is part of a broader federal push to enforce ticket-buying regulations and protect consumers from inflated resale prices.
Read the original coverage
- BillboardTrade
DOJ Sues Broker That Allegedly Netted $120M Flipping Tickets to Beyoncé & More Tours
Read at Billboard ↗ Feds Sue Ticket Broker Firm Over Alleged $120M Scheme For Beyoncé, Pitbull Tickets
Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗- Rolling StoneMainstream
Broker Accused of Illegally Buying 18.5 Million Tickets to Beyoncé, Post Malone, and More
Read at Rolling Stone ↗
Reported by multiple outlets
- The DOJ and FTC sued REPS & Co. in federal court for BOTS Act violations.
- The company is accused of using thousands of accounts and offshore workers to bypass ticket limits.
- REPS & Co. allegedly purchased over 18.5 million tickets since 2022.
- The firm is accused of generating approximately $120 million in profit from these resales.
- The lawsuit cites specific examples including tours by Beyoncé, Pitbull, Post Malone, and Luke Bryan.
Reported by only some outlets
- REPS & Co. spent more than $1.3 billion to purchase the tickets (Rolling Stone).
- For one Beyoncé show at Arrowhead Stadium, the firm allegedly used 1,300 accounts to buy 7,624 tickets, netting $833,323 in profit (Rolling Stone, The Hollywood Reporter).
- For a 2024 Pitbull show in Syracuse, the firm allegedly bought nearly one-third of the venue's capacity (Billboard, Rolling Stone).
- The firm allegedly maintained an 'Error Bible' to track and circumvent Ticketmaster error codes (Billboard).
- The firm allegedly used thousands of SIM cards and VPNs to mask its activity (Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter).
Confirmed
- The DOJ filed a civil lawsuit against REPS & Co. for BOTS Act violations.
- The alleged profit from the scheme is $120 million.
- The scheme involved over 18.5 million tickets across 83,000+ events.
- The lawsuit was filed in response to a referral from the FTC.
Reported
- REPS & Co. spent $1.3 billion on tickets. (Rolling Stone)
- The company maintained an 'Error Bible' to bypass Ticketmaster controls. (Billboard)
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