Archive · 28 Jul 2025
Fraudster James Kenny Exposed for Fake UK Music Festival Scam
James Kenny, a fraudster, tricked people into believing he was organizing a big music festival called 'Monmouth Rising.'
He made up a lot of things to sound believable, like having famous investors and fancy plans.
He promised things like affordable tickets and live broadcasts.
But in reality, the festival was never real, and he was just taking people's money.
The BBC investigated and exposed his lies, revealing that he made up the entire event from his mother's kitchen.
He never actually booked bands or got the necessary permits.
James Kenny, a fraudster, orchestrated a fake music festival called 'Monmouth Rising' from his mother's kitchen.
Kenny deceived musicians, celebrities, investors, and a foreign government with his elaborate festival plans.
The festival, claimed to be bigger than Latitude, failed to materialize despite Kenny securing initial funding.
Suspicion arose when critical details like band deposits and license applications were missing.
Kenny used elaborate plans and claims, including using the same software as the Paris Olympics, to gain credibility.
- Who
- James Kenny, along with various investors, musicians, celebrities, and a foreign government were involved.
- What
- James Kenny masterminded a fake music festival called 'Monmouth Rising'.
- When
- The timeframe of the fraud is not explicitly mentioned, but the festival was planned for a future date.
- Where
- The festival was planned to be held outside a Welsh border town, but the fraud was orchestrated from the UK.
- Why
- Kenny's motivations were likely financial gain through deception.
Suspicions of Victims
Kenny's Response
Kenny's Intent
Suspicions of Victims
Victims and employees doubted the festival's legitimacy due to lack of band payments and permit applications
Kenny's Response
James Kenny maintained that he was genuinely interested in organizing the festival, and offered a public apology.
- Fraudster
- James Kenny
- Fake Event
- Monmouth Rising
- Location
- Outside a Welsh border town
- Investors
- Including John Vincent of Leon
- Investigation
- BBC News
- Previous Conviction
- For Fraud