ADVICE ON AVOIDING PROSECUTION BY WEST MIDLANDS TRAIN FOR TRAVEL FRAUD

[Ocsan]

I live in Coventry and Work in Birmingham. I am presently in a state of distress and confusion following an email I received this morning from the West Midlands Train. The details of the email is presented below:

Dear Customer

We have recently been handed a file relating to an incident on 03-07-2025 when staff were carrying out their revenue duties, you were asked to show your ticket, the ticket you offered had been purchased after departure contravening the conditions of carriage.

It has been reported to the Digital Fraud Department for further investigation.

Further investigations into this matter have been carried out, including a full review of the ticket records. It would appear, at this stage, that this may be a case of fraud.

West Midlands Trains take travel fraud extremely seriously and is committed to prosecuting all cases of fare evasion to the full extent of the law. Travelling on the railway with the intent to avoid paying the full fare is an offence under the Regulation of Railways Act 1889. Such an offence carries a maximum fine of £1,000 and/or three months’ imprisonment and, in either case, a criminal record. It must also be considered whether this matter amounts to a much more serious offence under the Fraud Act 2006.

At this stage we would be grateful if you would provide any evidence to support the claim that none of the above legislation has been contravened to prevent further action being contemplated.

Please respond within 7 days from the date of this email to avoid further escalation.

Kind regards,
THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER
I lost my second job a couple of months ago, and my partner is on low pay because she just had a baby. So, I have been using the 16-17-year-old saver's card to buy train tickets at half the price from Coventry station to Birmingham New Street. Not only do I not have this ticket, but I am also far above this age. I know I messed up! I shouldn’t have done this.
On this fateful day, I saw the Revenue officer checking tickets, and I quickly purchased another Ticket from Coventry to Birmingham on my App, without using the Rail Ticket. When the Officer checked my ticket, he asked if I had bought it after joining the train. I replied yes, and he then asked how I had managed to pass through the station's barrier. I lied that it was open when I got there, and he said he didn't believe me. He seemed somewhat hostile and asked for my details, which I declined. He took the ticket and said he had reported me for prosecution.
Just this morning, I received this email. I am sure that a review of my previous purchases would reveal I have been buying tickets with a Rail Card I do not have and am not entitled to.
I don’t want to get prosecuted, it’s going to mess up my life and career. I know I messed up. Please, what can I do?

Looking forward to your counsel and advice on this matter.

 

[notmyrealname]

Hi, welcome to the forum.

You can probably resolve this but please don't reply to the email until the forum pros have had a look at what you've posted and maybe ask more questions. You have a few days before you need to reply.

 

[Ocsan]

Hi, welcome to the forum.

You can probably resolve this but please don't reply to the email until the forum pros have had a look at what you've posted and maybe ask more questions. You have a few days before you need to replay.

Thanks for this. I will wait for expert advice.

 

[Tevion539]

The train operator would be entitled to prosecute. That being said, an out of court settlement is possible. You said that you lied about the barriers. Where exactly did you travel from? Now that I’ve processed what you said, did you have a ticket from Coventry-Birmingham with a 16-17 and then buy a new ticket without one?

If you are eligible for a 16-25, 26-30 or any railcard, buying one of these could go a long way in proving, or at least assuring, that you’re keen not to do this again. They will likely audit your travel history, and will know if you’ve done this before. Especially as you had a digital ticket.


You also need to start buying the correct tickets going forward.

 

[Ocsan]

The train operator would be entitled to prosecute. That being said, an out of court settlement is possible. You said that you lied about the barriers. Where exactly did you travel from? Now that I’ve processed what you said, did you have a ticket from Coventry-Birmingham with a 16-17 and then buy a new ticket without one?

If you are eligible for a 16-25, 26-30 or any railcard, buying one of these could go a long way in proving, or at least assuring, that you’re keen not to do this again. They will likely audit your travel history, and will know if you’ve done this before. Especially as you had a digital ticket.


You also need to start buying the correct tickets going forward.

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I know the rail operator is entitled to prosecution. However, I need to avoid this. Please how can I avoid this. I am willing for out of court settlement.

I actually travelled from Coventry to Birmingham. That's is my regular route daily. A review of my previous tickets would confirm this. It's just that these tickets were bought with 16-17 railcard that I don't have or entitled to.

When i saw the revenue officer inspecting tickets, I quickly bought a new one with the same train line App, but now without the rail Card. That was the one I presented to the officer, but he managed to discover that I bought it after I entered the train. It was just few minutes from Coventry.

After the incident, I have now bought a monthly ticket with photocard for the same journey and stopped using the app.

However, I need to respond to their email within the next three days. Please what can I tell them to avoid prosecution. Please help me out. I can't afford any criminal record. I am just about to apply for my ILR after spending 10 years in the UK. I have maintained a clean record up to date. Please I need help.

 

[robbeech]

More people will go into detail about the next steps but the crucial thing is you must tell the truth when you reply. That said, you’d be advised to refrain from incriminating yourself further if you haven’t been asked any direct questions.

If the text in your opening post is the complete correspondence then they are asking specifically about the incident on the date in question. You did buy a ticket after departure which is an offence (or rather, not having one when you boarded the train was).
They are well within their rights to prosecute for this offence, and you would be wise to cooperate fully and allow this process to happen.

Regarding any other journeys you may or may not have made in the past, and any other tickets you may or may not have purchased, that would be for you to discuss with them as and when they bring it up, and only if they bring it up.

 

[Bungle158]

As an aside, and to anyone reading this thread for information, refusing to provide i.d. details to an authorised railway official is in itself, an offence.

 

[Ocsan]

As an aside, and to anyone reading this thread for information, refusing to provide i.d. details to an authorised railway official is in itself, an offence.

Hmmm. Thanks for this. I actually never knew. However, Ignorance is not an excuse. I have been having sleepless nights. If I ever get out of this without any criminal record, I will never ever do anything close to this in my miserable life.

 

[WesternLancer]

Hmmm. Thanks for this. I actually never knew. However, Ignorance is not an excuse. I have been having sleepless nights. If I ever get out of this without any criminal record, I will never ever do anything close to this in my miserable life.

Just to reassure you this is indeed serious but it won’t ruin your life. Advice here will help you reply appropriately. Have a look at other threads to get the idea of how you should respond to their letter.

 

[John R]

More people will go into detail about the next steps but the crucial thing is you must tell the truth when you reply. That said, you’d be advised to refrain from incriminating yourself further if you haven’t been asked any direct questions.

If the text in your opening post is the complete correspondence then they are asking specifically about the incident on the date in question. You did buy a ticket after departure which is an offence (or rather, not having one when you boarded the train was).
They are well within their rights to prosecute for this offence, and you would be wise to cooperate fully and allow this process to happen.

Regarding any other journeys you may or may not have made in the past, and any other tickets you may or may not have purchased, that would be for you to discuss with them as and when they bring it up, and only if they bring it up.

But they say they have carried out a full review of ticketing records. Which sounds very much like they are expecting the reply to cover more than just the one instance.

 

[30907]

But they say they have carried out a full review of ticketing records. Which sounds very much like they are expecting the reply to cover more than just the one instance.

This could simply mean that they have spotted the railcard discount, though, and are inviting the OP to produce evidence of one.

I would suggest following the general pattern regularly suggested by Hadders but specifically admitting that you do not have a 16-17 Saver Card (and would not be entitled to one?).

It would be wise also IMO (what do others think?) to add a sentence offering to cooperate if they have further concerns - I suspect your admission will prompt them to reply listing the journeys they have identified, and you don't want to give the impression of prevarication.

 

[Hadders]

The best way to keep matters out of court is to co-operate with the train company when they contact you. I would also recommend posting your draft reply int his thread so it can be proof read by forum members.

 

[robbeech]

But they say they have carried out a full review of ticketing records. Which sounds very much like they are expecting the reply to cover more than just the one instance.

This is the cheapest and easiest way to carry out a full review of ticketing records, get the passenger to tell you about them.

It’s very much akin to the “can you tell me why I’ve stopped you” line you may get if stopped in a car by the police.

If you say “I was driving too fast and wasn’t wearing my seatbelt and have also spilled my beer over myself due to a broken spring on the front of my car that they conveniently missed when I paid £150 for a dodgy MOT” when they’ve stopped you for having a brake light inoperative then there’s going to be further upset.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Aug 2025 ==

This could simply mean that they have spotted the railcard discount, though, and are inviting the OP to produce evidence of one

Or this could just be a generic line they put on all these letters as an easy way to get passengers to drop themselves in it.

The passenger has not been asked to talk about railcards, or any other journey other than the one in question.

 

[WesternLancer]

Hmmm. Thanks for this. I actually never knew. However, Ignorance is not an excuse. I have been having sleepless nights. If I ever get out of this without any criminal record, I will never ever do anything close to this in my miserable life.

Here is a copy of some advice I have adapted form another thread that will help you draft a reply to the letter / email you have received.

If you work up a draft people where can check it for you before you send it off to the railway company.


From this thread

WMT fare

hello I didn't purchase a full ticket for the journey I travelled, I was dropped off, jumped on the train and travelled from Kidderminster to Snow Hill, (I live between Kidderminster and Stourbridge stations) I bought my ticket very late in the journey from the Jewellery Quarter on the app...

www.railforums.co.uk

What you say must be true. Do not lie. That does not necessarily mean you need to tell them about things they have not specifically asked you about which might make things worse for you, but be aware they may ask you about them subsequently if they find out from checking other info like your ticket buying history.


Paragraph 1: Acknowledge and Address the Incident

• Start by thanking them for their email and clearly stating the date of their email
• Immediately identify the specific incident they're referring to, including the date of travel and the stations involved – also use any reference number they have issued on any paperwork you have
• State directly that you are writing in response to this incident.

Paragraph 2: Accept Responsibility for the Specific Incident

• Clearly state that you accept responsibility for not having a valid ticket for your journey when stopped and questioned

Paragraph 3: Express Remorse and Impact

• State that you deeply regret your actions and you have learned a lesson from this (eg to make sure you always have the correct ticket to travel with in future)
• You mention you have bought a season ticket now - you can state that (and enclose a copy or state the ticket serial number) as an example of something you have done to legitimately ensure you have the correct ticket going forwards and save money legitimately

Paragraph 4: Propose a Settlement

• Clearly state that you hope to resolve this matter through an out-of-court settlement. This signals your intention to avoid court proceedings.
• Confirm your willingness to pay any outstanding fare and to cover their administration costs. This is a precise offer for the incident being investigated.
• Conclude by asking what further information or action they require from you to facilitate this resolution.

 

[Ocsan]

Here is a copy of some advice I have adapted form another thread that will help you draft a reply to the letter / email you have received.

If you work up a draft people where can check it for you before you send it off to the railway company.


From this thread

WMT fare

hello I didn't purchase a full ticket for the journey I travelled, I was dropped off, jumped on the train and travelled from Kidderminster to Snow Hill, (I live between Kidderminster and Stourbridge stations) I bought my ticket very late in the journey from the Jewellery Quarter on the app...

www.railforums.co.uk

What you say must be true. Do not lie. That does not necessarily mean you need to tell them about things they have not specifically asked you about which might make things worse for you, but be aware they may ask you about them subsequently if they find out from checking other info like your ticket buying history.


Paragraph 1: Acknowledge and Address the Incident

• Start by thanking them for their email and clearly stating the date of their email
• Immediately identify the specific incident they're referring to, including the date of travel and the stations involved – also use any reference number they have issued on any paperwork you have
• State directly that you are writing in response to this incident.

Paragraph 2: Accept Responsibility for the Specific Incident

• Clearly state that you accept responsibility for not having a valid ticket for your journey when stopped and questioned

Paragraph 3: Express Remorse and Impact

• State that you deeply regret your actions and you have learned a lesson from this (eg to make sure you always have the correct ticket to travel with in future)
• You mention you have bought a season ticket now - you can state that (and enclose a copy or state the ticket serial number) as an example of something you have done to legitimately ensure you have the correct ticket going forwards and save money legitimately

Paragraph 4: Propose a Settlement

• Clearly state that you hope to resolve this matter through an out-of-court settlement. This signals your intention to avoid court proceedings.
• Confirm your willingness to pay any outstanding fare and to cover their administration costs. This is a precise offer for the incident being investigated.
• Conclude by asking what further information or action they require from you to facilitate this resolution.

Thanks so much for this. It's very helpful. Please find below the draft of my response. Please help me review and advise. Thank you.

Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for your email dated xxxx August 2025, with the Reference number xxxxx, regarding a travel incident that occurred on xx/08/2025 while I was travelling from Coventry Station to Birmingham New Street with the West Midlands Train. Kindly accept this email as my response to your email.

As stated in your email, I indeed bought my ticket online after I boarded the train at Coventry. I totally agree that this is absolutely unacceptable, and I deeply regret this shameful action as I take full responsibility for this gross misconduct.

Unfortunately, it takes an incident of this nature for me to reflect on the impact of this action on your company, the UK rail system and the taxpayers, despite the good services you provide to society. I sincerely apologise for this infraction, and I have learned to always ensure that I have my ticket before boarding, regardless of the situation.

To avoid being in this situation in the future, I have resolved to purchase a monthly ticket that covers my entire journey for the month. Please find attached the monthly ticket I bought immediately after the incident, which serves as evidence of my commitment to preventing similar situations in the future.

It is my sincere wish and hope that you will find it acceptable to let us resolve this issue through an out-of-court settlement, as I am willing to pay any penalty/outstanding fare and administration costs. Should you have any other concerns, please note that I am willing to cooperate to ensure effective resolution.

Thanking you in anticipation of your kind consideration.

Best Regards,

 

[30907]

Thanks so much for this. It's very helpful. Please find below the draft of my response. Please help me review and advise. Thank you.

It's rather wordy (AI assistance?) but generally fine - small points below.

As stated in your email, I indeed bought my ticket online after I boarded the train at Coventry. I totally agree that this is absolutely unacceptable, and I deeply regret this shameful action as I take full responsibility for this gross misconduct.

A bit over the top for what (at this stage) is one minor offence?

It is my sincere wish and hope that you will find it acceptable to let us resolve this issue through an out-of-court settlement, as I am willing to pay any penalty /outstanding fare and administration costs.

They can't levy a penalty - delete.

 

[Ocsan]

It's rather wordy (AI assistance?) but generally fine - small points below.

A bit over the top for what (at this stage) is one minor offence?

They can't levy a penalty - delete.

Thanks so much. Although I do not use AI in my writings, I will make it less wordy. Please advise on how best to present the phrase 'I totally agree that this is absolutely unacceptable, and I deeply regret this shameful action as I take full responsibility for this gross misconduct'

I will delete the Penalty aspect as advised. Please, I will appreciate a further review after which I will post the modified draft.

Thanks for your help.

 

[6Gman]

Thanks so much. Although I do not use AI in my writings, I will make it less wordy. Please advise on how best to present the phrase 'I totally agree that this is absolutely unacceptable, and I deeply regret this shameful action as I take full responsibility for this gross misconduct'

I will delete the Penalty aspect as advised. Please, I will appreciate a further review after which I will post the modified draft.

Thanks for your help.

"absolutely unacceptable" "shameful action" and "gross misconduct" all in one sentence could makes it sound as though you're hinting at further offences. Give me a moment and I'll suggest something less dramatic!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Aug 2025 ==

Thanks so much for this. It's very helpful. Please find below the draft of my response. Please help me review and advise. Thank you.

Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for your email dated xxxx August 2025, with the Reference number xxxxx, regarding a travel incident that occurred on xx/08/2025 while I was travelling from Coventry Station to Birmingham New Street with the West Midlands Train. Kindly accept this email as my response to your email.

As stated in your email, I indeed bought my ticket online after I boarded the train at Coventry. I totally agree that this is absolutely unacceptable, and I deeply regret this shameful action as I take full responsibility for this gross misconduct.

Unfortunately, it takes an incident of this nature for me to reflect on the impact of this action on your company, the UK rail system and the taxpayers, despite the good services you provide to society. I sincerely apologise for this infraction, and I have learned to always ensure that I have my ticket before boarding, regardless of the situation.

To avoid being in this situation in the future, I have resolved to purchase a monthly ticket that covers my entire journey for the month. Please find attached the monthly ticket I bought immediately after the incident, which serves as evidence of my commitment to preventing similar situations in the future.

It is my sincere wish and hope that you will find it acceptable to let us resolve this issue through an out-of-court settlement, as I am willing to pay any penalty/outstanding fare and administration costs. Should you have any other concerns, please note that I am willing to cooperate to ensure effective resolution.

Thanking you in anticipation of your kind consideration.

Best Regards,

Para 1 - ok, but wasn't the incident in July?

Para 2 - "On this occasion I purchased a ticket online after boarding the train, which I now realise is unacceptable."

Paras 3/4 - "This incident has taught me the importance of following the ticketing requirements correctly and to avoid any further such behaviour I have now purchasec a monthly ticket (copy attached). This, I trust, will reassure you of my commitment to pay the appropriate fare going forward."

Para 5 - "Having recognised my behaviour was unacceptable, and having taken action to ensure future compliance I hope this matter can be settled without the need for court action. I would, of course, be willing to pay any outstanding fare or fares due together with your administration costs in this matter."

Close - "Yours sincerely"

Others will be able to tweak but I think this is a better approach than all this "your company, the UK rail system ... the taxpayers ... the good services you provide to society" and suchlike!

 

[WesternLancer]

"absolutely unacceptable" "shameful action" and "gross misconduct" all in one sentence could makes it sound as though you're hinting at further offences. Give me a moment and I'll suggest something less dramatic!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Aug 2025 ==


Para 1 - ok, but wasn't the incident in July?

Para 2 - "On this occasion I purchased a ticket online after boarding the train, which I now realise is unacceptable."

Paras 3/4 - "This incident has taught me the importance of following the ticketing requirements correctly and to avoid any further such behaviour I have now purchasec a monthly ticket (copy attached). This, I trust, will reassure you of my commitment to pay the appropriate fare going forward."

Para 5 - "Having recognised my behaviour was unacceptable, and having taken action to ensure future compliance I hope this matter can be settled without the need for court action. I would, of course, be willing to pay any outstanding fare or fares due together with your administration costs in this matter."

Close - "Yours sincerely"

Others will be able to tweak but I think this is a better approach than all this "your company, the UK rail system ... the taxpayers ... the good services you provide to society" and suchlike!

FWIW I do agree with this helpful advice

 

[Ocsan]

"absolutely unacceptable" "shameful action" and "gross misconduct" all in one sentence could makes it sound as though you're hinting at further offences. Give me a moment and I'll suggest something less dramatic!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Aug 2025 ==


Para 1 - ok, but wasn't the incident in July?

Para 2 - "On this occasion I purchased a ticket online after boarding the train, which I now realise is unacceptable."

Paras 3/4 - "This incident has taught me the importance of following the ticketing requirements correctly and to avoid any further such behaviour I have now purchasec a monthly ticket (copy attached). This, I trust, will reassure you of my commitment to pay the appropriate fare going forward."

Para 5 - "Having recognised my behaviour was unacceptable, and having taken action to ensure future compliance I hope this matter can be settled without the need for court action. I would, of course, be willing to pay any outstanding fare or fares due together with your administration costs in this matter."

Close - "Yours sincerely"

Others will be able to tweak but I think this is a better approach than all this "your company, the UK rail system ... the taxpayers ... the good services you provide to society" and suchlike!

Thanks so much for this. I appreciate.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Aug 2025 ==

"absolutely unacceptable" "shameful action" and "gross misconduct" all in one sentence could makes it sound as though you're hinting at further offences. Give me a moment and I'll suggest something less dramatic!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Aug 2025 ==


Para 1 - ok, but wasn't the incident in July?

Para 2 - "On this occasion I purchased a ticket online after boarding the train, which I now realise is unacceptable."

Paras 3/4 - "This incident has taught me the importance of following the ticketing requirements correctly and to avoid any further such behaviour I have now purchasec a monthly ticket (copy attached). This, I trust, will reassure you of my commitment to pay the appropriate fare going forward."

Para 5 - "Having recognised my behaviour was unacceptable, and having taken action to ensure future compliance I hope this matter can be settled without the need for court action. I would, of course, be willing to pay any outstanding fare or fares due together with your administration costs in this matter."

Close - "Yours sincerely"

Others will be able to tweak but I think this is a better approach than all this "your company, the UK rail system ... the taxpayers ... the good services you provide to society" and suchlike!

Hello, the incident was in July. It was a typo in my response. Thanks.

 

[Egg Centric]

Are you going to be able to pay the amount they are likely to propose in settlement immediately?

Cooperation is undoubtedly best if you can pay it. If you can't then this gets a bit more interesting and other tactics may be called for, but the answer to this question should be supplied first.

 

[Ocsan]

Are you going to be able to pay the amount they are likely to propose in settlement immediately?

Cooperation is undoubtedly best if you can pay it. If you can't then this gets a bit more interesting and other tactics may be called for, but the answer to this question should be supplied first

Hmm. It actually depends on how much they want to ask for. If it's in the neighbourhood of £300, I should be able to run around to sort it out, but if it's higher, I don't know if I can settle it immediately.

 

[AlterEgo]

Hmm. It actually depends on how much they want to ask for. If it's in the neighbourhood of £300, I should be able to run around to sort it out, but if it's higher, I don't know if I can settle it immediately.

How many tickets are involved? For example each single trip will probably work out at £6.10, plus they will have an administration fee in the low three figures.

 

[Ocsan]

How many tickets are involved? For example each single trip will probably work out at £6.10, plus they will have an administration fee in the low three figures.

I counted about 36 tickets from my email

 

[AlterEgo]

I counted about 36 tickets from my email

Are these returns or singles?

 

[Ocsan]

Are these returns or singles?

Return tickets

 

[AlterEgo]

Return tickets

That's 72 single journeys at £6.10 each, plus maybe £150 in admin fees. So worst case you could be looking at nearly £600.

 

[Ocsan]

That's 72 single journeys at £6.10 each, plus maybe £150 in admin fees. So worst case you could be looking at nearly £600.

That's too high. What other option have I got?

 

[AlterEgo]

That's too high. What other option have I got?

You don't have many. That is what they will ask for if they detect all the offences. It's the full fare for every journey, or they can prosecute you. I am afraid you don't hold the cards here. You can ask for a payment plan but they aren't bound to give one and they are likely to say no.

 

[RobertsN]

That's too high. What other option have I got?

If that's too high, the other option (as it appears from previous posts), is court and an almost certain conviction.