While there is a buzz around Coldplay’s upcoming concerts with the ‘Music of the Spheres’, ticket scams have left Coldplay fans duped and crying foul over hefty sums by fake sellers. The easily available tickets due to allegedly high demand leave loopholes for scammers to step in and reap hefty profits over keen concertgoers.
Fraud Incidents
Many fans attest that they have fallen prey to these unofficial channels, only for their purchases to be a case of non-existent tickets or fake ones. One Dubai resident, P.S., lost Dh400 trying to buy tickets through a Facebook group. She narrates: “It was a close-knit group, and I thought they would be trustworthy, transferring money, but never got the tickets.” “Dh1,500 robbed me from a seller over an online marketplace, M.A., and then found the tickets to be fake,” he reflects.
Warning to Organizers
The concert organizers have issued strict warnings regarding buying tickets from unauthorized resellers following the incidents. Issuing an update on the ticketing process, ticketing platforms like Ticketmaster reiterated that tickets obtained from unauthorized channels such as Viagogo, StubHub, and Dubizzle would not be valid for entry and would rather be canceled. They urged fans to buy tickets solely from official channels to secure legitimacy and ultimately avoid disappointment.
Legal Use
Ticket resale without written permission from the organizers is an offense in the UAE. Dubai fines people for such offenses from Dh100 to Dh20,000, and repeated offenses attract a penalty of up to Dh100,000. Authorities are advising residents to be on alert and report to the concerned authorities any suspicious ticket sales.
Preventive Measures
To protect oneself from ticket fraud, fans should:
- Buy Tickets from Official Sources: Always buy tickets at an authorized seller or from the official site of that event.
- Be Wary of Incredible Offers: As there would be a lot of offers and that one should not believe in the deals.
- Refrain from Sharing Personal Information: Unknown sellers should not get any form of personal information or financial details through social media platforms.
- Report Suspicious Activity: In case any of the scams caught your eyes, report to the authorities immediately.
Conclusion
From the growing fever for Coldplay’s concerts, it must be made clear that an increase in caution regarding ticket scams is required. Concertgoers will be able to ensure an unforgettable experience without possible risks that fraud might present by securing themselves through official purchasing channels and observing possible frauds.
