Cricket World Cup: Scalpers risk stiff penalties

Tickets for the Black Caps' remaining Cricket World Cup matches have become hot property. Photo / Getty

World Cup ticket-holders selling prized seats for inflated prices face a nasty shock.

The Black Caps' rampant charge through pool-play has seen tickets for their matches become hot property. And now some fans are looking to turn a quick profit on the tickets.

The Herald on Sunday has uncovered five cases of outlawed scalping, as well as more than 60 instances of online sales, which is banned.

In one case a pair of tickets with a face value of $180 were sold for $400.

Sally Kane, New Zealand corporate services manager for the Cricket World Cup, said a "zero tolerance" stance would be taken towards scalpers. Those caught would face fines of up to $5000.

And those buying the scalped tickets could also cop a potential penalty. World Cup organisers are prepared to cancel any tickets illegally resold - meaning punters could be turned away at the gate.

"Those cases you have found certainly will be followed up," she said.

"The rules are you can sell your ticket to family or friends for up to the face value, but selling-on above face value is not allowed."

Ticket scalping during the Cricket World Cup is deemed illegal under the Major Events Management Act.

The Herald on Sunday this week found 60 expired listings on TradeMe where tickets had been resold.

TradeMe spokesman Jeff Hunkin said over the past few weeks it had removed "around 300" ticket listings.