Advertisement

Masters ticket scam could land alleged culprits 20 years in prison

Masters access is among the most exclusive and coveted tickets in sports.

Some people who own annual passes will them to their spouses.

One Texas family’s alleged attempt to profit off that exclusivity could result in significant prison time.

The Associated Press reported on Monday that four members of a Texas family used stolen identities to cheat the Masters ticket lottery and profit from the ill-obtained passes on the secondary market.

Texas family accused of complex Masters scam

Stephen Michael Freeman of Katy, Texas faces charges of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. His parents Steven Lee Freeman and Diane Freeman of Helotes, Texas and his sister Christine Oliverson of San Antonio face conspiracy charges for the scheme.

One family's alleged attempt to profit off the exclusivity of the Masters could result in lengthy prison time. (AP)
One family's alleged attempt to profit off the exclusivity of the Masters could result in lengthy prison time. (AP)

Mailing lists and fake IDs

According to documents filed in a U.S. District Court in Augusta, Georgia, the family has used stolen identities to enter the Masters ticket lottery multiple times every year from 2013-2017. The Masters allows for one entry into its ticket lottery per person.

The family stands accused of purchasing bulk mailing lists and using names and addresses to create fake accounts for the Masters lottery connected with email addressed controlled by the family.

Family members would then use forged documents such as fake driver’s licenses to change the addresses associated with the accounts to ensure that any tickets won would be sent to them, according to court documents.

U.S. Attorney Bobby Christine noted in a press release that the crimes could carry a penalty of up to 20 years in prison.

More from Yahoo Sports: