A Somerset man accused of flogging £1 million in fake Glastonbury Festival tickets is at the centre of a major BBC investigation — accused of scamming school friends, dodging police and wrecking reputations.

Miles Hart, 27, who grew up in Glastonbury and went to Millfield School, allegedly promised exclusive access to VIP wristbands and hospitality passes — saying they came through his family's land near the festival or via a catering firm. Some buyers were told his mother, Cllr Susannah Hart, could secure tickets as a Somerset councillor.

In fact, councillors have no special access to Glastonbury tickets, and there is no suggestion whatsoever that Cllr Hart was involved, aware of, or connected to any of the alleged activity. She did not respond to a BBC request for comment.

As 2024's festival neared, buyers began to panic. Promoters including Ibiza DJ Kai Cant and the now-defunct firm Star Gaze Entertainment said they were promised hundreds of passes by Hart. "If this was all a big scam, would I be on the phone to you now?" Miles told a customer in one call. No tickets arrived.

BBC Three's documentary Fake Friend: The Ticket Scammer, now on iPlayer, reveals the scale of the deception. One buyer, Danny, said he was told the tickets fell through because "Glastonbury found out about them and shut the whole thing down."

Another victim, Elle, said Miles sent a voice note promising funeral money for a dead friend — but "three years on, the family have received nothing." She later discovered dozens of bank cards in the names of their mutual friends — set up, experts say, to use them as "money mules".

Hart's godmother, Annamaria, said she once paid his school fees and helped cover the family mortgage. When she put the house up for auction, Miles turned up and "won" it — but his £90,000 deposit cheque bounced. "To this day, I don't understand why he did it," she said.

An undercover recording shows Hart claiming: "I was involved in something that went wrong. I am an honest person." He promised to repay £480,000 in 56 days. He hasn't repaid anyone.

Other victims, including promoter Kai Cant, say they've received threats. The new owner of Hart's former home told the BBC he's installed lasers, cameras and ANPR systems after being visited by "two very large men who appeared to want to cause us physical harm."

Hart has not been arrested and his current whereabouts are unknown. His lawyers told the BBC there were "material errors" in the allegations and that some people interviewed "cannot be relied upon to represent an accurate portrayal of events."

The Metropolitan Police are investigating up to 50 allegations of ticket fraud in relation to Glastonbury Festival 2024.

A spokesperson said: "Officers are working closely with partners, such as Action Fraud and the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau to assist with the investigation, as well as contacting and supporting all the victims involved."

Fake Friend: The Ticket Scammer airs tonight at 9pm on BBC Three and is streaming now on iPlayer.

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