Court appearance over dodgy Rugby World Cup tickets

Police allege two men bought Rugby World Cup tickets using false credit card details. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Police believe an organised crime group is behind the sale of fraudulently obtained Rugby World Cup tickets.

Nebiyou Tefera Demissie, 37, and Demissie Tefera Asgedom, 25, appeared at the Auckland District Court today charged with belonging to an organised crime group.

According to court documents, both men work as taxi drivers.

Demissie was remanded in custody while Asgedom was bailed to his Mt Roskill address.

Asgedom's bail conditions include not being allowed to possess or supply Rugby World Cup tickets and not to go to any Rugby World Cup venues or events.

Last week police raided two Auckland properties and seized 933 tickets with a combined value of more than $500,000. Cash was also recovered.

Police allege the tickets were bought using false credit card details.

Detective Superintendent Andy Lovelock said police believed some tickets had been sold to unsuspecting buyers but he said he could not release the ticket numbers.

He said police had not ruled out further charges.

"There are matters still under investigation."

He warned people buying Rugby World Cup tickets to approach official sellers.

"Wisdom tells you it is always best to buy from bonafide ticket sellers because a bargain may not turn out to be a bargain."

Police have worked closely with tournament officials since the fraud was detected and the fraudulently-purchased tickets were made void as a result.

A third man, Fusani Seed, had also been charged in relation to the scam.

He had been facing a charge of obtaining by deception $1528 worth of Rugby World Tickets.

The 42-year-old is understood to have returned to South Africa.