Promoter scammed for fake bookings

A comedy promoter has been ripped off by a bogus agent who claimed to represent comedy stars Micky Flanagan and Simon Brodkin.

Both stand-ups were advertised as performing at the Swingergate comedy festival in Kimberley, Nottinghamshire, in September.  

But neither comic had actually been booked to perform – and when their genuine agents found out, they took action to shut down the adverts, alerting te promoter to the fact he’d been scammed.

Flanagan and Brodkin had been advertised to perform at The White Lion on September 7 as part of a weekend of gigs organised by Nottinghamshire-based Barking Mad promotions.

When Flanagan’s agent, Christian Knowles of Blue Book Artist Management, got wind of the advert he fired off a ‘cease and desist’ letter to the venue to stop advertising this event or face legal action.

He told Chortle: ‘We had to shut this down quickly as it was a gig Micky was never booked to play and we didn’t want fans to be disappointed.’

Brodkin’s agent at Avalon also demanded Barking Mad take down any adverts regarding his appearance, telling the company: ‘We’re Simon’s only management and all bookings come through me or a member of my team.’

The promoter and venue compiled with the requests with The White Lion posting online: ‘Recently we put up a poster for a comedy festival at White Lion. It is with regret that we have had to cancel due to Barking Mad promotions not [having] booked the acts stated.

‘They booked the venue for a weekend event of some very high profiled comedians of which their management and the comedians knew nothing.'

However, it appears Barking Mad had been victims of a fraud. Promote Mike Barker told Chortle ‘I was scammed online’ after he contacted who he thought was Brodkin via social media.

In a series of messages, the comic appeared to agree to play the festival and passed Barker on to who his ‘agent’ to firm up the details.

‘They gave me the handle of the manager on Telegram claiming they where managers of Simon Brodkin and Micky Flanagan,’ said Barker, who is also a part-time stand-up.

However, neither the agent nor the account in Brodkin’s name were genuine. While the account @simon.brodkin.2 - above – carried artwork for the comic’s tour and links to his official website, the comedian is just @simonbrodkin on Twitter, TikTok and Instagram.

The ‘agency’ account on Telegram Barker was directed to was @ameliamanagement015 and featured a Getty Images stock photograph of a businesswoman as its profile picture.

Barker then transferred £650, which he thought was securing the comics’ services – with the money going into an account in the name of one Uwa Osagie. Chortle messaged the owner of the Telegram account, asking for comment but have received no response.

Barker – who also organises the three-day Retfest in Retford near Nottingham every October  –  said he trusted the bogus Brodkin account ‘because we have mutual friends’.

Avalon have also been approached for comment.

Published: 25 Jul 2024