Argentina Messi farewell match ticket resale investigation

Allegations of illegal ticket reselling surfaced regarding Lionel Messi’s farewell match for the Argentina national team against Benin. Initial reports focused on Dora Caamaño, who was accused of offering seats at prices significantly higher than official rates. Caamaño denied fraudulent activity, asserting that ticket holders determine their own prices.

Following these reports, Argentine authorities launched a formal investigation into the secondary market. City Police conducted a raid on a residence in Vicente López, where they seized nine match tickets, a money-counting machine, and substantial amounts of cash in both Argentine pesos and US dollars. The investigation, led by Prosecutor Maximiliano Vence, is examining the illegal commercialization of tickets under the Buenos Aires Contraventional Code.

As the investigation expanded, authorities responded to more than 30 formal complaints from fans. During a raid in Vicente López, investigators seized approximately 9,850,000 Argentine pesos and 56,300 US dollars, alongside a money-counting machine and several tickets.

Security operations at the Estadio Monumental resulted in ten detainees and the issuance of nearly 300 contravention notices. Reported crimes included ticket forgery, theft, and resistance to authority. Investigators also identified individuals attempting to sell fraudulent tickets near the stadium entrance, with some fans reporting markups exceeding 800% of the official cost.