As summer draws near, the enthusiasm for concerts in various regions continues to soar. However, our reporter has learned from the Beijing police that this has also ushered in a peak period for ticket fraud cases, with a variety of deceptive methods emerging frequently. Concert-goers are strongly advised to stay vigilant.
Phishing Websites Mimicking Official Ticketing Platforms
One common fraud tactic involves scammers imitating official concert ticketing websites and boosting their search rankings through SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Take Ms. Wang’s experience as an example. When she searched for tickets for a particular concert online, she clicked on the “XX Official Ticketing” link that appeared at the top of the search results. After paying 1,200 yuan to buy two tickets, the page continuously displayed “Processing Tickets,” and the customer service phone number went unanswered. Upon reporting the incident, it was revealed that this website was a phishing platform set up by fraudsters, and the funds had been transferred via virtual currency.
Fake Refund Links Used to Steal Financial Information
Another modus operandi is sending fake refund links to obtain bank card information and verification codes. Ms. Zhao, who purchased concert tickets on a non-official platform, received a call from a so-called “customer service representative.” The caller claimed that “the order was abnormal and a refund was necessary” and then sent a link labeled “XX UnionPay.” Following the instructions and filling in her bank card details and verification code, 12,000 yuan was withdrawn from her account in three separate transactions. Police investigations showed that the fraudsters used “number-changing software” to pose as official customer service and stole information through a fake UnionPay page.
“Hunger Marketing” Scams for Popular Performances
The reporter also noted that criminals often exploit the scarcity of popular performances, using tactics such as claiming to have “the last two tickets” or “tickets from friends” to carry out fraud. Ms. Wu came across an advertisement from a “ticket scalper” on a platform that read, “Bird’s Nest concert VIP tickets, no entry verification required.” The other party said, “You need to pay 500 yuan as a handling fee and pick up the tickets on-site.” After Ms. Wu made the transfer, she was blocked. Police investigations revealed that this gang carried out multiple frauds targeting popular performances through “hunger marketing” strategies. Most of the victims were young music fans eager to purchase tickets.
Police Remind Concert-goers to Stay Alert
The police have issued a reminder: when purchasing concert tickets, always use official channels. Be wary of so-called “internal channels” and “ticket – grabbing services,” as the authorities have never authorized individuals or non-official institutions to sell tickets. Additionally, strictly adhere to payment security principles. Opt for platform-guaranteed transactions. For example, if a second-hand platform asks for payment through an App link, avoid redirecting to an external webpage.
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