UPDATED: Used a fake ticket and got caught

[IAmStupid]

To start this off- yes I'm a dumbass. In hindsight I should have just said I had no ticket rather than making a fake one. But if I could time travel I wouldn't be in this mess- or using trains.

I thought I brought a return ticket on my usual route. It wasn't until I was on my train home (there were no barriers at departure station) that I realised I had only gotten a single, and therefore no ticket for the return train I was on. The staff at my home station usually just look at your ticket for a moment and wave you through, so thought I could just photoshop the station the other way around on my ticket. Of course this was the one time the inspector insisted on scanning the bugger and it flagged up as the wrong journey.

Name & details taken and I was sent on my way. At no point did I admit it was fake and the inspector just seemed confused instead of accusational - but I'm sure GTR will see straight through it.

I realised now this is going to be more than the £50 fine that I would've gotten for just having no ticket at all- but I was pushing my luck it seems.
Think I'm looking at a £1000 fine for fraud? Or a court date?

Please don't tell me the way I could have avoided this - I know and I'm already beating myself up over it

 

[saismee]

I'm no expert but unless you've been forging tickets for a long time, I doubt you'll get anything worse than having to pay an admin fee and the price of the ticket (this will be about 125 + the price of any invalid tickets found on your account). It's best to wait for the experts to reply before doing anything, but you don't need to worry so much.

At the moment you will just need to wait to receive a letter/email from the TOC in question.

 

[IAmStupid]

I'm no expert but unless you've been forging tickets for a long time, I doubt you'll get anything worse than having to pay an admin fee and the price of the ticket (this will be about 125 + the price of any invalid tickets found on your account). It's best to wait for the experts to reply before doing anything, but you don't need to worry so much.

At the moment you will just need to wait to receive a letter/email from the TOC in question.

Thank you for your quick reply, I am hoping this is the case - I truly doubt they're going to want to go after me for anything more than money. Just feeling a little silly and am hoping people can settle these worries

 

[notmyrealname]

Hi.

You haven't told us very much about your ticket buying history but I can tell you that prison is out of the question unless you're a huge offender. And even then...

As mentioned by saismee, it's likely you can settle this out of court and I expect the forum pros will be here later with any questions they have. The train company may also check your Trainline account if they have the details. Do you think they're likely to find other instances of not paying the right fare?

 

[IAmStupid]

Hi.

You haven't told us very much about your ticket buying history but I can tell you that prison is out of the question unless you're a huge offender. And even then...

As mentioned by saismee, it's likely you can settle this out of court and I expect the forum pros will be here later with any questions they have. The train company may also check your Trainline account if they have the details. Do you think they're likely to find other instances of not paying the right fare?

Nope my Trainline history is clean as a whistle. I have a habit of bumping the odd station around London but nothing that can be at all tracked on trainline.
I really did doubt prison would be a thing to consider but worry is a wonderful demon.

So I guess I should just sit tight and wait for the letter. I assume it'll take about a month?

 

[John R]

If (or when) they work out what you did, they are likely to look for any unusual behaviour on your account. I’m thinking along the lines of only ever buying single tickets?

 

[IAmStupid]

If (or when) they work out what you did, they are likely to look for any unusual behaviour on your account. I’m thinking along the lines of only ever buying single tickets?

Luckily I always buy a return, which is why I didn't even think to check my ticket on this occasion. I hope this works in my favour for when they look that this single ticket is a one off - I appreciate you pointing this out for me

 

[Titfield]

GWR are one of the more reasonable Train Operating Companies to deal with so the chances are it will be the full fare avoided plus an admin fee of C£150.

When you get the letter I suggest you post it here together with your draft reply before submitting it to GWR. You need to avoid phrases that may encourage them to take a harsher line and make an example of you.

 

[IAmStupid]

GWR are one of the more reasonable Train Operating Companies to deal with so the chances are it will be the full fare avoided plus an admin fee of C£150.

When you get the letter I suggest you post it here together with your draft reply before submitting it to GWR. You need to avoid phrases that may encourage them to take a harsher line and make an example of you.

Sorry it was GTR not GWR, my mistype on that. But yes I will definitely put whatever they mail me here Thank you for your reply

 

[saismee]

You're still in luck. GTR seem to also be more reasonable with offering out of court settlements.

 

[Hadders]

Welcome to the forum!

Firstly, you abolutely will not go to prison for this.

Next, as you're aware, you travelled with an invalid ticket and GTR are entitled to prosecute you in the Magistrates Court if they want to. The good news is they will normally offer an out of court settlement to people who co-operate with their investigation and who haven't come to their attention before. They will write to you in the next few weeks saying that they have received a report, are considering prosecuting but asking for your version of events before they decide how to proceed. When the letter comes, post a redacted copy of it in this thread along with your draft reply and forum members will proof read it for you.

Settlement fees typically cost the fare avoided at the full Anytime rate with no credit given for invalid tickets purchased. In addition they will charge an admin fee, typically £150. They will also search your online ticket purchasing history and if this indicates other ticketing irregularities they will look to factor the cost of these journeys into the settlement cost.

 

[IAmStupid]

Welcome to the forum!

Firstly, you abolutely will not go to prison for this.

Next, as you're aware, you travelled with an invalid ticket and GTR are entitled to prosecute you in the Magistrates Court if they want to. The good news is they will normally offer an out of court settlement to people who co-operate with their investigation and who haven't come to their attention before. They will write to you in the next few weeks saying that they have received a report, are considering prosecuting but asking for your version of events before they decide how to proceed. When the letter comes, post a redacted copy of it in this thread along with your draft reply and forum members will proof read it for you.

Settlement fees typically cost the fare avoided at the full Anytime rate with no credit given for invalid tickets purchased. In addition they will charge an admin fee, typically £150. They will also search your online ticket purchasing history and if this indicates other ticketing irregularities they will look to factor the cost of these journeys into the settlement cost.

Thanks Hadders - I will send a copy of the letter.
Just assuming it's worth being honest when they ask for my side of the story right? Rather than keeping up the charade that its just a broken ticket?

 

[Hadders]

Thanks Hadders - I will send a copy of the letter.
Just assuming it's worth being honest when they ask for my side of the story right? Rather than keeping up the charade that its just a broken ticket?

See what the letter asks. You mustn't lie to them but equally there's no need to incriminate yourself either.

 

[danielnez1]

Also, GTR will likely be more amenable to eventually offering you a settlement if you were not combative with the member of staff and gave your correct contact details when first asked.

 

[Haywain]

They will also expect you to commit to stopping your fare evasion - not just saying you will but actually stopping.

 

[IAmStupid]

An UPDATE: I have just received my notice of prosecution with the ability to appeal. So for anyone wanting a ticket timeline it's apparently just under 5 months.

I will look through what other people wrote as how to best phrase my grovelling apology GTR have requested, but was wondering if anyone had any insights on it specifically being an 'altered ticket'? Think it's best to avoid mentioning the photoshop at all and just admit I had no valid ticket and keep it vague? Or just own up to how it was dumb and clearly wouldn't work and shouldn't have even attempted it?
Thank you all! And thanks to everyone who settled my worries when I first got caught all those months ago. Made receiving this letter a lot less scary as I knew what to expect and how it will most likely result in a fine rather than anything else they listed.


*Thank you to whoever combined these threads together

 

[SuspectUsual]

So. They know what you did. You know they know what you did. For me, whilst there's obviously no need to refer to what you did specifically, saying "no valid ticket" sounds like you want them to think it was a simple ticketless travel case and avoid the deliberate nature of what you did. How about referring to "an error of judgement" instead?

 

[IAmStupid]

So. They know what you did. You know they know what you did. For me, whilst there's obviously no need to refer to what you did specifically, saying "no valid ticket" sounds like you want them to think it was a simple ticketless travel case and avoid the deliberate nature of what you did. How about referring to "an error of judgement" instead?

Agreed,
Here is draft 1 if you or anyone else has any notes? Have I given them too much of a life story here or a good amount of detail?

Thank you,




Dear Sir/ Madam,


I am writing in response to your letter of Intention to Prosecute dated 18th November 2025 Reference: --------

On the 2nd of July 2025 I purchased a single travel ticket to Finsbury Park station, thinking I had purchased my usual return ticket. Due to the lack of e-ticket barriers at Finsbury Park on my return (joining from the Victoria Line Tube Network) I hadn’t noticed my ticket was in fact only a single until I was already aboard my returning train, preparing to scan on exit at Welwyn Garden City Station. With no valid ticket, and already on the train, I stupidly decided to alter my single ticket to travel in the other direction. In hindsight I should have just admitted my lack of ticket to the guard rather than attempt something that would clearly not work as soon as I approached the Welwyn Garden City e-ticket scanners. I regret not being honest with my actions and have not done this before or since and double-check all tickets I do purchase before boarding the train.

I am hoping we can settle this outside of court as I am happy to directly pay any compensation.

Thank you for your time.

 

[WesternLancer]

Agreed,
Here is draft 1 if you or anyone else has any notes? Have I given them too much of a life story here or a good amount of detail?

Thank you,




Dear Sir/ Madam,


I am writing in response to your letter of Intention to Prosecute dated 18th November 2025 Reference: --------

On the 2nd of July 2025 I purchased a single travel ticket to Finsbury Park station, thinking I had purchased my usual return ticket. Due to the lack of e-ticket barriers at Finsbury Park on my return (joining from the Victoria Line Tube Network) I hadn’t noticed my ticket was in fact only a single until I was already aboard my returning train, preparing to scan on exit at Welwyn Garden City Station. With no valid ticket, and already on the train, I stupidly decided to alter my single ticket to travel in the other direction. In hindsight I should have just admitted my lack of ticket to the guard rather than attempt something that would clearly not work as soon as I approached the Welwyn Garden City e-ticket scanners. I regret not being honest with my actions and have not done this before or since and double-check all tickets I do purchase before boarding the train.

I am hoping we can settle this outside of court as I am happy to directly pay any compensation.

Thank you for your time.

FWIW I think your tone needs to be a bit more pleading at the end especially (I mean who would not be happy to pay compensation instead of being criminally prosecuted....)

More like 'I would be extremely gratful if you would beprpred to symapthtcially consider a requeat to allow me to settle this matter withotu court action. I would of course be prepared to promptly pay any sum I owe along with your costs in investigating this matter'

You also mention you 'usual return ticket' - if they look up your purchase record (which they may have already done given its taken them nearly 5 months to write are you confident they are going to find records of lots of return tickets on your purchase record? Because if not I would definitely not be saying that was what you usually did.....

 

[IAmStupid]

FWIW I think your tone needs to be a bit more pleading at the end especially (I mean who would not be happy to pay compensation instead of being criminally prosecuted....)

More like 'I would be extremely gratful if you would beprpred to symapthtcially consider a requeat to allow me to settle this matter withotu court action. I would of course be prepared to promptly pay any sum I owe along with your costs in investigating this matter'

You also mention you 'usual return ticket' - if they look up your purchase record (which they may have already done given its taken them nearly 5 months to write are you confident they are going to find records of lots of return tickets on your purchase record? Because if not I would definitely not be saying that was what you usually did.....

I genuinely actually do pay for return tickets usually so if they were to check it would support my case. I looked back to check myself and in the last 5 months only 2 journeys are a single- the journey that caused all this here and a ticket up in Leeds where I got a taxi back (though I'm obviously not about to go into that much detail with them).

And more pleading! Agreed will add that now

 

[WesternLancer]

I genuinely actually do pay for return tickets usually so if they were to check it would support my case. I looked back to check myself and in the last 5 months only 2 journeys are a single- the journey that caused all this here and a ticket up in Leeds where I got a taxi back (though I'm obviously not about to go into that much detail with them).

That's fine then - you've checked and know there are not grounds for suspicion - so it's true and you can thus say it if you wish to.

And more pleading! Agreed will add that now

possibly also more recognition that what you did was serious and thus a 'serious error of judgment' and an assurance it will never happen again

 

[IAmStupid]

Thank you for your input. I present, Draft 2:


Dear Sir/ Madam,

I am writing in response to your letter of Intention to Prosecute dated 18th November 2025 Reference: ----

On the 2nd of July 2025 I purchased a one-way journey travel ticket from Welwyn Garden City to Finsbury Park station, thinking I had purchased my usual open-return ticket.
Due to the lack of e-ticket barriers at Finsbury Park on my return (joining from the Victoria Line Tube Network) I hadn’t noticed my ticket was in fact only a one-way until I was already aboard my returning train, preparing to scan on exit at Welwyn Garden City Station.
With no valid ticket, and already on the train, I made a serious error of judgement and decided to alter my one-way ticket to appear to serve travel in the return direction. In hindsight I should have just admitted my lack of ticket to the guard rather than attempt something that would clearly not work as soon as I approached the Welwyn Garden City e-ticket scanners. I regret not being honest with my actions and have not done this before or since and now double-check all tickets I do purchase before boarding a train.

I would be very grateful if you would consider this request to allow me to settle this matter without court action. I would of course be prepared to promptly pay any sum I owe along with your costs in investigating this matter.


I'll see if anyone else has any input, else I'll mail this off tonight!

 

[WesternLancer]

Thank you for your input. I present, Draft 2:


Dear Sir/ Madam,

I am writing in response to your letter of Intention to Prosecute dated 18th November 2025 Reference: ----

On the 2nd of July 2025 I purchased a one-way journey travel ticket from Welwyn Garden City to Finsbury Park station, thinking I had purchased my usual open-return ticket.
Due to the lack of e-ticket barriers at Finsbury Park on my return (joining from the Victoria Line Tube Network) I hadn’t noticed my ticket was in fact only a one-way until I was already aboard my returning train, preparing to scan on exit at Welwyn Garden City Station.
With no valid ticket, and already on the train, I made a serious error of judgement and decided to alter my one-way ticket to appear to serve travel in the return direction. In hindsight I should have just admitted my lack of ticket to the guard rather than attempt something that would clearly not work as soon as I approached the Welwyn Garden City e-ticket scanners. I regret not being honest with my actions and have not done this before or since and now double-check all tickets I do purchase before boarding a train.

I would be very grateful if you would consider this request to allow me to settle this matter without court action. I would of course be prepared to promptly pay any sum I owe along with your costs in investigating this matter.


I'll see if anyone else has any input, else I'll mail this off tonight!

it's better but indeed worth waiting to see if others suggestions are made.

 

[MrJeeves]

In hindsight I should have just admitted my lack of ticket to the guard

None of the GTR services on this route would have guards, or any additional member of staff on board, so this would not have been possible. Whether it's worth editing this to reflect that fact, or whether it's worth leaving as-is, I'm not sure.

I think it could do with adding paragraph breaks between paragraphs other than the first and last, but other than that I think it's short and sweet and gets your point across.

 

[duffield]

...
I have a habit of bumping the odd station around London but nothing that can be at all tracked on trainline.
...

Just as an aside on this matter, assuming you mean pushing through the barriers, I'd really suggest you stop this.

A lot of people get away with this a lot of the time, true, but one day you might find there are some BTP officers you didn't spot present and they might decide to detain you, and TfL could well prosecute you. TfL don't do out of court settlements.

Also, you'll be on CCTV and TfL might decide to mount some sort of exercise (I don't know, maybe using AI/face recognition to identify repeat offenders) and mount a sting operation based on their patterns. It does seem increasingly common behaviour though so they may feel they must clamp down hard on it. And maybe they won't do that sort of thing, quite possibly it wouldn't be worth it. Maybe. Do you feel lucky?

Dealing with TfL usually means you get a criminal conviction. If you're very lucky and spend a large sum on a solicitor you might just get a warning.

 

[SuspectUsual]

Do you feel lucky?

And that's the nub of it for the OP. To paraphrase various people through history, he has to get lucky every time; TfL only have to get lucky once

 

[IAmStupid]

None of the GTR services on this route would have guards, or any additional member of staff on board, so this would not have been possible. Whether it's worth editing this to reflect that fact, or whether it's worth leaving as-is, I'm not sure.

I think it could do with adding paragraph breaks between paragraphs other than the first and last, but other than that I think it's short and sweet and gets your point across.

Thank you for your feedback - short and sweet is what I was aiming for. Bet they have hundred of these to read through every day.
By guard I meant the person who scans tickets at the barrier, who was at the person who caught me in the end. Guard may be not the right word

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

I have sent this off now thank you guys!
Will update with a conclusion for others to continue to see the outcome and timeline of something like this!

 

[flashberry43]

From GTR’s perspective I’d be wondering how someone who has never done this before would know how to edit the ticket quickly on their phone?

Further, what made you realise you had only bought a single and not a return before the guard approached you?

I would think about this …

 

[IAmStupid]

From GTR’s perspective I’d be wondering how someone who has never done this before would know how to edit the ticket quickly on their phone?

Further, what made you realise you had only bought a single and not a return before the guard approached you?

I would think about this …

Hiya, If the were to be curious about this I would say it's because I am literally a photographer & graphic designer by trade. Thats why I was dumb enough to attempt it because I have the tools on my phone and the skills to edit. I am not someone who has done this before because, like it fundamentally didn't work so why would it have worked before and not this time

Though beyond that I think anyone with Canva & a dream could overlay some text if they really wanted to (though again… didn't work).

And I realised, because as stated, I pulled the ticket up while on the train (at the stop before mine) so that it was ready and loaded to go once I was off the train, which is when I saw that there wasn't a return ticket like I expected there to be- just the single from the first leg.

Luckily as this is genuinely the first time I've done this I would hope they see no holes in this story because- well there isn't holes I guess, this is just in fact the case!


EDIT - Thinking about this more my rushed editing actually show on the fake ticket the exact moment I edited it- as I didn't change the time on the top of my phone screen. Literally marked 5 mins before the train reaches the platform- so if they did want to press further and confirm I didn't do it before boarding, strangely my ticket is literally my proof.

 

[chrisjo]

as I didn't change the time on the top of my phone screen.

Though no doubt with the skills you have listed, you could easily have changed this as well?