Kentucky Performing Arts loses $100K in ticket resale fraud tied to Ireland resident

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A ticket resale fraud tied to the Broadway musical "Wicked" has cost Kentucky Performing Arts $100,000, authorities say.

Prosecutors allege Ajibola Oduntan, born in Nigeria and now living in Ireland, purchased more than 60 tickets using stolen credit card numbers and resold them on StubHub. When the show concluded credit card companies demanded refunds, forcing Kentucky Performing Arts to cover the losses.

Investigators said Oduntan used multiple email addresses and phone numbers to hide his activity. The scheme unraveled when a number linked to his U.S. travel documents connected him to one of the fraudulent accounts. The FBI said Oduntan deposited nearly $350,000 into PayPal from StubHub over 18 months.

Oduntan was arrested last week in Grayson County and is charged with wire fraud. Authorities say a co-conspirator, using the online name “Stacy Marthins,” sold 77 tickets tied to the scheme.

It remains unclear whether those who purchased the fraudulent tickets were able to attend the show.

Experts advise buying tickets directly from venues, checking refund policies, and using secure payment methods such as credit cards to avoid scams.

Both the FBI Louisville and Kentucky Performing Arts declined to comment as the investigation continues.

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