Formula 1 seeks data from Dutch firms on alleged ticket fraud networks using its brand

Formula 1 is seeking information from two Dutch companies about the people behind fraudulent ticket websites that illegally use the racing organization’s branding to scam customers. Formula 1 argues the data is needed to identify and stop the alleged fraudsters.

The case was heard Thursday in a preliminary injunction at the court in The Hague. Formula 1 is requesting information from domain registrar Metaregistrar and domain registration and web hosting company Mijndomein. Both companies have refused to provide the requested data.

Formula 1 said at least 12 professionally designed websites used the organization’s official logos without permission and deceived visitors into buying fake tickets. The organization was alerted to the scheme in September 2025 by an Italian customer who paid 2,600 euros to a company in Amsterdam for tickets to the Italian Grand Prix at Monza but never received them.

“This is the chance for Formula 1 to finally get one step closer to the actual fraudsters,” the motorsport organization’s lawyer said in court.

Formula 1 wants access to information including bank account numbers, contact details, and activity linked to IP addresses. Metaregistrar and Mijndomein said they believe the information they hold does not identify the real perpetrators.

“The data we have is either false or belongs to someone who knows nothing about it,” the companies said. They argued that some of the information may have been obtained through data breaches and warned that releasing it could harm innocent people.

The companies also said fraudsters may use the names of well-known people when registering websites or accounts. Formula 1’s lawyer said such information would not be acted upon without further verification.

“If we find out it concerns Jennifer Lopez and an address in Hollywood, then we will do nothing with it,” the lawyer said.

The fraudulent websites have since been taken offline, but Formula 1 said new ones continue to appear quickly. “That is why Formula 1 urgently needs information about these fraudsters,” the lawyer said, describing the new websites as appearing “like mushrooms.”

The judge gave the parties an opportunity to resolve the dispute themselves, but no agreement was reached. The court is expected to issue a ruling on July 30.