Luke Littler, the 18-year-old darts sensation and reigning PDC World Champion, took to social media to call out a close friend after receiving messages from fans who claimed they had been scammed by a ticket-selling account he had promoted. The incident unfolded on September 1, 2025, shortly after Littler’s dramatic 8-7 victory over **Josh Rock** in the Flanders Darts Trophy final in Antwerp, Belgium, where he claimed his fourth European Tour title and £30,000 prize (sportbible.com, September 1, 2025). Littler’s post on Instagram Stories warned his followers and apologized for the endorsement, highlighting the risks of online scams targeting his massive fanbase. This article explores the details, Littler’s response, and the context of his rising stardom, as of September 2, 2025.
The Incident and Littler’s Call-Out
Following his Flanders Darts Trophy win, Littler revealed that a “good mate” had asked him for a favor to promote a music festival ticket-selling account on his Instagram Story. The post helped the account gain over 500 followers, but fans soon messaged Littler claiming they had been scammed—paying for tickets that never arrived (sportbible.com, September 1, 2025). In a candid Instagram Story, Littler wrote: “A good mate of mine wanted me to do a favour so I put it on my story, he gained 500-plus followers. But obviously he’s scamming people and not got the tickets, so everyone ignore it my apologies I didn’t think he was like this.”
The account in question was subsequently deleted, but Littler’s prompt response aimed to protect his fans from further harm. This isn’t the first time Littler has addressed scams; in October 2024, he warned followers about fake accounts selling signed merchandise (the-sun.com, October 23, 2024). His transparency earned praise, with fans on X commending his accountability: “Class from Littler calling out his mate for scamming. Protecting the fans! 👏 #Darts” (@DartsFanatic, September 1, 2025).
Background on Littler’s Stardom and Fan Interactions
Littler’s rapid rise has made him a prime target for scams, with his 1.9 million Instagram followers and global fame attracting opportunists. Since bursting onto the scene with a runner-up finish at the 2024 PDC World Championship at age 16, Littler has won the 2025 World Championship, Premier League, World Matchplay, and multiple European Tour titles, amassing over £1.5 million in prize money (dailymail.co.uk, July 27, 2025). His success has led to a massive online presence, but it also exposes him to issues like this.
Littler has been vocal about protecting his personal life and fans. In August 2025, he addressed trolls targeting his girlfriend **Faith Millar**, saying, “They’re jealous. They wanna ruin us” (dailymail.co.uk, August 11, 2025). This latest incident underscores the challenges of fame, as Littler balances his career with maintaining trust with his supporters.
Reactions and Impact
The call-out drew mixed reactions. Some fans appreciated Littler’s honesty, with @TheTennisLetter tweeting, “Littler owning up and warning fans—that’s leadership! Scammers beware #Darts” (September 1, 2025). Others criticized the friend, with comments like “Shame on that ‘mate’ scamming Littler’s fans. Good on Luke for speaking out!” (@DartsLover, September 1, 2025). Media outlets like SPORTbible noted, “Littler’s quick response shows his maturity beyond his years” (sportbible.com, September 1, 2025). The incident also highlighted the risks of celebrity endorsements, with experts advising fans to verify accounts before purchases.
Littler’s Recent Success and Future
The scam drama came amid Littler’s triumphant Flanders Darts Trophy win, where he averaged over 107 in an 8-7 final-leg decider against **Josh Rock** (bbc.co.uk, August 31, 2025). His 2025 haul includes the Triple Crown and multiple titles, positioning him to challenge **Luke Humphries** for world No. 1 (skysports.com, September 1, 2025). Littler’s next major event is the **BoyleSports World Grand Prix** in Leicester from October 6-12, 2025 (skysports.com, August 31, 2025).
