In a startling revelation, Lloyds Bank has reported that Oasis fans in the UK have collectively lost over £2 million to fraudulent ticket sales. The scams, predominantly occurring on social media platforms, have affected at least 5,000 victims since the tickets for the band's highly anticipated reunion tour went on sale. The bank's analysis, based on fraud reports from its customers, highlights the growing menace of online ticket fraud.

The average loss per victim stands at approximately £436, with one individual reportedly defrauded of £1,700. A significant majority of these scams, about 90%, were facilitated through Meta's social media platforms, primarily Facebook. Liz Ziegler, Lloyds' fraud prevention director, emphasized the need for stronger measures by social media companies to combat these fraudulent listings, which often violate the platforms' own policies.

The announcement of Oasis's reunion tour last year sparked immense excitement among fans, leading to a chaotic ticket sale that saw all dates sell out within the first day. This frenzy created a fertile ground for scammers, who exploited the high demand by posting fake listings offering tickets at reduced prices. The situation has prompted calls for consumers to remain vigilant and purchase tickets only from authorized retailers to avoid falling prey to such scams.

Meanwhile, the UK's competition regulator, the CMA, has initiated an investigation into Ticketmaster, the official ticket vendor for the Oasis tour. The probe aims to assess whether buyers were provided with clear information and if they were pressured into making quick purchases. As the tour dates approach, the spotlight remains on the need for enhanced security measures and consumer awareness to prevent further losses to ticket fraud.

Families of the 29 victims killed in the 1994 Chinook helicopter crash are escalating their decades-long fight for answers, preparing to deliver a petition with more than 47,000 signatures to Downing Street demanding a public inquiry. The Chinook Justice Campaign has published 110 "critical questions" they want answered about the tragedy that claimed the lives of 25 intelligence experts and four special forces crew members when the aircraft crashed on the Mull of Kintyre on June 2, 1994.

The campaign comes after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer rejected calls for a judge-led inquiry into the incident, prompting families to declare they will "see the UK government in court." Among those delivering the petition on Tuesday are brothers Andy and Matt Tobias from Watford, whose father John Tobias was killed in the crash. The petition delivery will be accompanied by an attempt to deliver a letter directly to the Ministry of Defence.

Central to the families' concerns are questions about mission authorization, aircraft selection, and whether those on board were properly warned of risks. The campaign has gained momentum amid revelations that key documents related to the crash have been sealed until 2094—a century after the incident occurred. David Hill, technical expert for the Chinook Justice Campaign, characterized the government's position as "a betrayal by the state of them and their loved ones."

The crash investigation has followed a contentious path over the past three decades. Initial findings blamed pilot error for the tragedy, but this conclusion was overturned in 2011. The continuing secrecy surrounding the incident has drawn criticism from campaigners who argue it "undermines trust not only in the MoD but in the government itself." As families prepare to confront the government directly, the case represents one of Britain's longest-running military accountability battles.