Singapore police warn against online ticket scams

Upcoming concerts from popular K-pop boy bands WINNER and iKON have prompted police in Singapore to warn concertgoers about the risk of fake tickets associated with buying online.

Scams involving the sale of concert tickets remain prevalent in Singapore, with police reporting at least 120 incidents last year alone. Victims were either sent fake or invalid tickets or did not receive tickets at all, in all cases after payments had been made.

In a bid to encourage smarter and safer online shopping practises, Singapore police have provided prospective concertgoers with a set of three guidelines for buying tickets online. Singaporeans are advised not to be impulsive, not to be taken in by fake IDs or documents and not to give advance payments or deposits.

“Try to use shopping platforms that release your payment to the seller only upon receipt of the item”

Singapore police are putting particular emphasis on purchasing tickets from reputable and authorised sellers. “Try to use shopping platforms that release your payment to the seller only upon receipt of the item,” they warn.

“Alternatively, arrange to meet the seller and contact the authorised ticketing service provider (e.g. SISTIC, Sports Hub Tix etc.) to check the authenticity/validity of the tickets prior to making payment.”

Stories of concert hopefuls being scammed out of hundred of dollars have made headlines in Singapore in recent times. One unfortunate victim lost over S$400 to a scam, receiving just blank sheets of paper in the post instead of tickets for a JJ Lin concert. With category one tickets for the concert usually selling for close to $700, the woman, only identified by media as Ms Tan, thought she had found a good deal.

It is thought the same scammer has done the same to many others, using Facebook and elaborate stories to convince people into parting with their cash. Similar events have occurred in the UK, with ticket fraud up 38% in 2017 according to the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers.

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