POLICE have issued a warning about fraudulent advertisements offering tickets for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Officers said ticket advertisements had appeared in the national and international media featuring a mobile phone number or email address.

It said the public risked paying for tickets that do not exist and personal details could be stolen.

It is illegal to advertise or sell an Olympics ticket without authorisation from the event organisers.

Det Supt Nick Downing, of Operation Podium, the Metropolitan Police’s dedicated team to tackle serious and organised economic crime in the build-up to the Games, said: “Please do not attempt to buy tickets from adverts such as these as you risk paying over the odds for tickets that may not exist and your personal details may be stolen and used in other crimes.

“The safest way to buy tickets for the Olympic and Paralympic Games is from the London 2012 website. On this site, you will find the most up-to-date information about tickets, future Olympic and Paralympic Games ticket sales and the London 2012 website checker.”

If you have tried to buy a ticket in this way, email Operation Podium at OperationPodium@met.pnn.police.uk

Advertising or selling a ticket for the Olympic or Paralympic Games without authorisation from Locog carries a fine of up to £20,000 for each offence.