Two ticket websites have been shut down by the British government after complaints from hundreds of fans that they were left out of pocket.

Following an investigation, theonlineticketshop.com and theonlineticketexchange.com have been put into provisional liquidation "on the grounds of public interest". The director of both companies is registered as Tony Triphook, 55, of Grays in Essex.

Events that the websites had been heavily promoting include Tuesday's London 02 Arena show by Paul McCartney, rock band Muse's UK stadium gigs next autumn, Alicia Keys's May 2010 UK tour, and US rock outfit Pearl Jam's London Hyde Park gig next June.

It is not yet known how many people have lost money; a spokesman for the Insolvency Service says it received 250 emails from potential ticket purchasers in the space of four days. And it unlikely that those affected will get their money back. However, those who paid by credit card may be able to get a refund from their card company.

Ticketing expert Reg Walker, operations director of the Iridium Consultancy, praised the work done by the companies investigation branch of the Insolvency Service, and said: "It needs to be backed up by a criminal investigation by police and the Serious Fraud Office into the activities of past and current directors."

Further news and comment on this story at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2009/dec/18/ticketing-sites-shut-music-fans