California Attorney General Warns of Ticket Scams Ahead of LA 2028 Olympics

On Monday, April 6, 2026, California Attorney General Rob Bonta warned residents of counterfeit tickets and fraud targeting the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, urging purchases only from authorized vendors, use of secure payment methods, and avoidance of high-risk platforms.

NBC Los Angeles

Global ticket sales opened April 9, 2026. The “Drop 1” window runs through April 19, and the LA 28 committee reported over 4 million tickets sold worldwide in this phase.

NBC Los Angeles

Rob Bonta, California’s attorney general, leads state consumer-protection. The LA 28 committee, overseeing event planning and ticket distribution, manages the multi-phase sales strategy and communications.

NBC Los Angeles

• April 6, 2026 – AG Bonta issues scam warning.

NBC Los Angeles

• April 9, 2026 – LA 28 ticket sales start (Drop 1).

NBC Los Angeles

• April 9-19, 2026 – Drop 1 period; >4 million tickets sold.

NBC Los Angeles

• Tickets sold (first phase): >4 million worldwide.

NBC Los Angeles

• Red-flag payment methods: Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency.

NBC Los Angeles

• Consumer complaint: many buyers said $28 tickets were unavailable.

NBC Los Angeles

Bonta’s alert warned that counterfeit tickets circulate and urged verification of sellers, protection of personal data, and reporting of suspicious activity to the AG’s office, the Better Business Bureau, or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. The LA 28 committee reiterated that tickets are sold only through authorized channels and that the platform includes a refund policy and security safeguards.

NBC Los Angeles

Many consumers told NBC Los Angeles that the advertised $28 ticket option was not available, suggesting a discrepancy between promotional pricing and actual ticket inventory.

NBC Los Angeles

Local consumers reported unsolicited “Olympic ticket” offers via social-media and texts, often requesting Zelle or gift-card payments. Those who used authorized vendors succeeded; others using prohibited methods lost funds.

NBC Los Angeles

The AG’s alert lists payment methods to avoid, but no official explanation explains why the $28 ticket tier was missing from Drop 1, leaving a gap in public information.

NBC Los Angeles

• “The alert said consumers should avoid payments through Zelle, Venmo, and Cash App.” — Rob Bonta, alert

NBC Los Angeles

• “It also warned against paying for tickets with gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, calling those red flags for fraudulent purchases.” — Rob Bonta, alert

NBC Los Angeles

• “Bonta encouraged people to buy tickets only from authorized vendors and to use secure payment methods to avoid becoming a victim.” — Rob Bonta, alert

NBC Los Angeles

• “More tips to consider when purchasing LA28 tickets include: Know the refund policy Protect personal information Verify website security Be wary of heavily discounted tickets Check the seller’s online reviews The attorney general’s office also recommends that people verify sellers through trusted sources and report suspicious activity.” — Rob Bonta, alert

NBC Los Angeles

The attorney general’s office advises continued vigilance as ticket sales proceed through the Drop 1 window, urging consumers to report any suspicious offers and to use the complaint channels already identified. Complaints can also be filed through the online portal linked in the AG’s alert.

NBC Los Angeles