Miles Hart, once esteemed as a man who could procure anything, is now notorious for orchestrating a £1 million Glastonbury ticket scam. Known for his extravagant gestures, such as organizing impromptu luxury trips to Paris via private jet for his friends from the élite private school he attended, Miles leveraged his social circle to perpetuate his deceit.
Claiming familial connections to land near the festival site and alleged partnerships with event companies, Miles offered Glastonbury tickets, hospitality passes, and VIP Access All Areas credentials, capturing the interest of his former schoolmates. Over time, his lucrative but deceitful ticket sales scheme extended internationally, preying on those who missed the frantic rush for official tickets sold through the festival's website.
As the highly-anticipated 2024 festival approached, the legitimacy of his ticket offers unraveled, exposing a complex web of fake invoices and counterfeit email communications. Miles, now 27, vanished, leaving a trail marked by significant debt and fractured friendships. This investigation by the BBC, through conversations with his former friends, pieces together the tale of his fraudulent ascent and abrupt disappearance.
Once considered the charismatic and clever member of his circle at Millfield School—renowned for its athletic alumni and its proximity to Glastonbury's Pyramid Stage—Miles was perceived as the key to accessing the festival by friends like Elle, who knew him since childhood. Despite Glastonbury Festival's stringent ticket policies and the value placed on official tickets sold through See Tickets, Miles's concocted allure of alternative access was enticing.
Former Millfield student Seb reflects on purchasing one such ticket for the 2022 festival, enticed by a narrative of exclusive access purportedly stemming from land leased by Miles's family for the festival. However, after persistent queries to the festival, the stark revelation came: Glastonbury was unaware of any arrangement with Miles.
Adding to the personal betrayal, Elle's best friend Cian, who had also been scammed, tragically died of a heart attack, prompting a plea for restitution which Miles promised but failed to provide, further exacerbating the emotional fallout of his fraudulent actions.
The exodus of trust, marked by unpaid debts and shattered relationships, underscores the audacity of Miles's scam, spotlighting how deceit masked by charm can lead to profound personal and financial tolls.