PRESS RELEASE

RUGBY WORLD CUP: ANTITRUST, BEWARE ON-LINE TICKET SCAMS

Joint initiative with the International Network of consumer protection authorities in anticipation of the tournament in New Zealand.

Beware of on-line ticket scams for the Rugby World Cup 2011. The Italian Antitrust Authority has re-issued an alert announced by the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (ICPEN, the International Network of Consumer Protection Authorities that monitor the transnational impact of fraudulent advertising).

According to ICPEN President Bernadette Van Buchem, whose term concludes in July 2011, "major events like the ‘Rugby World Cup 2011’ represent irresistible opportunities for unscrupulous dealers. The global nature of the Internet makes it easy for transnational advertising to reach consumers, and international cooperation is essential for identifying these websites, warning consumers and putting a halt to fraudulent practices."

Rugby lovers around the world, therefore, should be extremely careful while purchasing tickets for the Rugby World Cup 2011 being held in New Zealand. According to ICPEN, websites that sell fake tickets may also be utilizing the official logos and images of the Rugby World Cup in a fraudulent manner. Watch out for emails from organizations and associations that falsely claim to represent the Rugby World Cup 2011 organization.  The risk is that fans might not find out until too late, after travelling all the way to New Zealand, that their tickets are not valid for any matches in the worldwide tournament.

ICPEN reminds us that the only website authorized for on-line ‘Rugby World Cup 2011’ ticket sales is http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/, and the only official brochure is available at: http://www.rth2011.com/.

Rome - February 7, 2011