Prosecution department ask payment £175 for invalid ticket

[Eldorado666]

Hi members,I hope you are fine!!

Have situation that I was travelling with West Midlands Train with ticket on the day 29 January 2026.

The ticket send me my friend, the time was 18:46 pm but when the inspector scanned show ls time around 9pm. I didn't know. I was thinking that I am traveling on time with right ticket so I was scammed person who send me the ticket. But actually the ticket was valid on the day, only different time. I didn't know that! I was not travelling for purpose with ticket who was digitaly modify for different time on same day.


But inspector took as fraud ticket. He took my details etc and I got letter asking for £175 plus 77.20 fare to avoid request being referred for prosecution consideration.



From my research I should get penalty £100 with option to pay early in 21days to reduce £50

Plus probably different ticket price what can not be more than £50.

They did not give me this option



Finally price is £252.20



Its lot of money! Please advise!! How to avoid or reduce!!
Thank for your time to reach my case!! Linka

 

[Fawkes Cat]

Welcome to the forum. I'll ask our moderators to delete the images that you have sent: it's really helpful for us to see what the railway sent you, but we can see your name and address, and you probably don't want the whole internet to know that about you. I'd suggest taking a new picture but with your name and address hidden, and posting that in a reply to this thread.

 

[Hadders]

Moderator note - I’ve removed the attachments @Eldorado666 uploaded in their opening post as they contained personal details.

Please can you re-upload them with personal details redacted.

Thanks.

 

[z444z]

But inspector took as fraud ticket. He took my details etc and I got letter asking for £175 plus 77.20 fare to avoid request being referred for prosecution consideration.

From my research I should get penalty £100 with option to pay early in 21days to reduce £50

Plus probably different ticket price what can not be more than £50. They did not give me this option

Finally price is £252.20

Welcome. We need to know exactly what ticket you used and on exactly which train, and need to see the letter you’ve been sent, but from the info you’ve given:

The £100 (£50 if paid within 21 days) you’re referring to is a penalty fare. This cannot be sent to you later, it has to be issued at the time. Unfortunately for whatever reason they have decided to report you for prosecution instead.

If you travelled on an Advance ticket at the wrong time, this is treated as having no valid ticket at all, and you have committed a criminal offence by doing so, as ridiculous and unfair as this may seem.

They are offering you the opportunity to pay some money in return for them not taking you to court. It’s probably best that you pay this or they will take you to court which will likely result in a criminal record.

The only way I can think of to reduce the amount is to ask them for a breakdown of their admin costs, because the terms and conditions say they cannot charge you more in admin costs than they have actually spent.

Don’t do anything yet please, provide the info I asked for at the start of this post and wait for further advice

 

[methecooldude]

If you travelled on an Advance ticket at the wrong time, this is treated as having no valid ticket at all, and you have committed a criminal offence by doing so, as ridiculous and unfair as this may seem.

How I read it is that the Ticket may have been doctored to show an earlier departure time than was purchased... maybe OP can clarify if that is the case. If it is, there's a stronger case why it was reported rather than PF'd

 

[John R]

How I read it is that the Ticket may have been doctored to show an earlier departure time than was purchased... maybe OP can clarify if that is the case. If it is, there's a stronger case why it was reported rather than PF'd

That was my interpretation too. And to explain to the OP, penalty fares are issued where the ticket inspector is prepared to believe that it is a genuine mistake, and there is no interpretation of criminality in the issue of it. However, if they suspect a deliberate intention to avoid paying the correct fare, then the correct course of action is to take your details and refer the case for further investigation and possible prosecution. This is what has happened to you, and the offer they have made you, is basically telling you "pay us this amount and we won't prosecute you. Your choice."

Given you didn't have a valid ticket, a prosecution would almost certainly succeed, and you would have a criminal record, albeit a minor one, and would also have to pay a fine and the rail company's expenses in taking you to court.

 

[Undiscovered]

How I read it is that the Ticket may have been doctored to show an earlier departure time than was purchased... maybe OP can clarify if that is the case. If it is, there's a stronger case why it was reported rather than PF'd

This.
If OP had 'simply' travelled on an Advance ticket, at the wrong time, a Penalty Fare, or even perhaps a friendly word, may have been the end of the matter.

Altering the ticket puts it into a different ballgame altogether, hence the report for prosecution. The fact that things have come through so soon after the event, shows that West Mids investigated this as a matter of urgency.

Depending on your overall journey, it might have been cheaper to buy the Evening Fare, at £3.50.

 

[WesternLancer]

Hi members,I hope you are fine!!

Have situation that I was travelling with West Midlands Train with ticket on the day 29 January 2026.

The ticket send me my friend, the time was 18:46 pm but when the inspector scanned show ls time around 9pm. I didn't know. I was thinking that I am traveling on time with right ticket so I was scammed person who send me the ticket. But actually the ticket was valid on the day, only different time. I didn't know that! I was not travelling for purpose with ticket who was digitaly modify for different time on same day.


But inspector took as fraud ticket. He took my details etc and I got letter asking for £175 plus 77.20 fare to avoid request being referred for prosecution consideration.



From my research I should get penalty £100 with option to pay early in 21days to reduce £50

Plus probably different ticket price what can not be more than £50.

They did not give me this option



Finally price is £252.20



Its lot of money! Please advise!! How to avoid or reduce!!
Thank for your time to reach my case!! Linka

Sounds like you are thinking about penalty fares that you have seen on posters at stations.

These are not issued if deliberate fare evasion is suspected. Instead you should be reported for investigation and sanctions are higher, including the potential for criminal prosecution in court resulting in a court fine and criminal record.

 

[furlong]

so I was scammed person who send me the ticket.

Please tell us exactly how you obtained the ticket. How did you contact this person? How long have you known them?

If it is genuinely not your fault would you have information that helps the train company to catch the real culprit?

 

[Eldorado666]

Welcome to the forum. I'll ask our moderators to delete the images that you have sent: it's really helpful for us to see what the railway sent you, but we can see your name and address, and you probably don't want the whole internet to know that about you. I'd suggest taking a new picture but with your name and address hidden, and posting that in a reply to this thread.

Thanks))

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Feb 2026 ==

Thank you for all messages

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Feb 2026 ==

Welcome. We need to know exactly what ticket you used and on exactly which train, and need to see the letter you’ve been sent, but from the info you’ve given:

The £100 (£50 if paid within 21 days) you’re referring to is a penalty fare. This cannot be sent to you later, it has to be issued at the time. Unfortunately for whatever reason they have decided to report you for prosecution instead.

If you travelled on an Advance ticket at the wrong time, this is treated as having no valid ticket at all, and you have committed a criminal offence by doing so, as ridiculous and unfair as this may seem.

They are offering you the opportunity to pay some money in return for them not taking you to court. It’s probably best that you pay this or they will take you to court which will likely result in a criminal record.

The only way I can think of to reduce the amount is to ask them for a breakdown of their admin costs, because the terms and conditions say they cannot charge you more in admin costs than they have actually spent.

Don’t do anything yet please, provide the info I asked for at the start of this post and wait for further advice

Hi I understand that asking for payment and I am planning to pay I was just surprised the amount and asking for advice to reduce. Why I have to pay 225£ if I should get option 100£ etc..

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Feb 2026 ==

Uploading new picture with info
Thank you for everyone!!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Feb 2026 ==

That was my interpretation too. And to explain to the OP, penalty fares are issued where the ticket inspector is prepared to believe that it is a genuine mistake, and there is no interpretation of criminality in the issue of it. However, if they suspect a deliberate intention to avoid paying the correct fare, then the correct course of action is to take your details and refer the case for further investigation and possible prosecution. This is what has happened to you, and the offer they have made you, is basically telling you "pay us this amount and we won't prosecute you. Your choice."

Given you didn't have a valid ticket, a prosecution would almost certainly succeed, and you would have a criminal record, albeit a minor one, and would also have to pay a fine and the rail company's expenses in taking you to court.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Feb 2026 ==

Welcome. We need to know exactly what ticket you used and on exactly which train, and need to see the letter you’ve been sent, but from the info you’ve given:

The £100 (£50 if paid within 21 days) you’re referring to is a penalty fare. This cannot be sent to you later, it has to be issued at the time. Unfortunately for whatever reason they have decided to report you for prosecution instead.

If you travelled on an Advance ticket at the wrong time, this is treated as having no valid ticket at all, and you have committed a criminal offence by doing so, as ridiculous and unfair as this may seem.

They are offering you the opportunity to pay some money in return for them not taking you to court. It’s probably best that you pay this or they will take you to court which will likely result in a criminal record.

The only way I can think of to reduce the amount is to ask them for a breakdown of their admin costs, because the terms and conditions say they cannot charge you more in admin costs than they have actually spent.

Don’t do anything yet please, provide the info I asked for at the start of this post and wait for further advice

 

[WesternLancer]

Thanks))

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Feb 2026 ==

Thank you for all messages

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Feb 2026 ==


Hi I understand that asking for payment and I am planning to pay I was just surprised the amount and asking for advice to reduce. Why I have to pay 225£ if I should get option 100£ etc..

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Feb 2026 ==

Uploading new picture with info
Thank you for everyone!!

There is no option to pay £100 unless you have been issued with a genuine Penalty Fare.

 

[Eldorado666]

There is no option to pay £100 unless you have been issued with a genuine Penalty Fare.

Planning to write them letter with request to reduce the payment. Do u think that can help? And explanation why I got that high penalty

 

[WesternLancer]

A Penalty Fare is issued to people in certain circumstances when they make a mistake buying a wrong ticket.

If you use a forged or amended ticket that is a far more serious action and involves criminal behaviour. That will not be dealt with by zonal Fare.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Feb 2026 ==

Planning to write them letter with request to reduce the payment. Do u think that can help? And explanation why I got that high penalty

No. It won’t help in my view.

But ther is nothing to stop you doing it.

 

[Eldorado666]

A Penalty Fare is issued to people in certain circumstances when they make a mistake buying a wrong ticket.

If you use a forged or amended ticket that is a far more serious action and involves criminal behaviour. That will not be dealt with by zonal Fare.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Feb 2026 ==


No. It won’t help in my view.

But ther is nothing to stop you doing it.

Thank for advice

 

[jfollows]

This is their offer to settle, if you do not take it you will be taken to court and, if found guilty, have a criminal record, plus you will probably end up paying the same amount in fines and fees anyway. You really don’t want that.

Having made you an offer, which covers their expenses and unpaid fares, they are unlikely to reduce the amount.

 

[AlterEgo]

Planning to write them letter with request to reduce the payment. Do u think that can help? And explanation why I got that high penalty

I think you need to realise you used a forged ticket.

This is a serious matter, and not one dealt with by Penalty Fare. If you try to pass off fake tickets in some other places, staff will often just call the police who will arrest you and work the rest out at the police station.

In the circumstances, £252.20 is a good deal for you. Don't do it again. Buy your own tickets from proper websites and learn your lesson.

 

[z444z]

Planning to write them letter with request to reduce the payment. Do u think that can help? And explanation why I got that high penalty

No do not do this.

 

[Eldorado666]

No do not do this.

Ok

 

[Haywain]

Planning to write them letter with request to reduce the payment. Do u think that can help? And explanation why I got that high penalty

You were caught using a fraudulently altered ticket, committing a criminal offence, one that is potentially serious and detrimental to your future. In your position you should be grateful they have offered you an opportunity to resolve the matter so quickly and easily. Pay the amount requested and ensure that you only use legitimate tickets in future.

 

[WesternLancer]

From my research I should get penalty £100 with option to pay early in 21days to reduce £50

as a matter of interest what research was this? - do you have a source for that information? (eg for example it being stated in a West Midlands Railway Revenue Protection Policy document or official website)

I'm afraid if it was just something stated by AI following an internet search it's not correct.