LONDON (AP) — British police made five arrests involving soccer tickets and other events as part of a campaign to deter fraud before the 2012 London Games.
The arrests come a week before Olympic tickets are to go on sale. Scotland Yard detectives fanned out over London on Tuesday.
Detective Chief Inspector Nick Downing told The Associated Press that police have a list of more than 1,000 people they suspect of being involved in illegal ticket sales. They plan to work until the London Games to refine it and cross-check the information.
The arrests weren’t directed at fake Olympic ticket sales — the official sale doesn’t start until March 15. Police say the arrests are intended to send a message to potential scammers.
