More than 30 fans of K-pop star G-Dragon were tricked into buying fake tickets for his sold-out Hong Kong concerts. The total loss from these scams reached HK$610,000 (about US$78,000). Police are investigating after receiving over 200 reports of ticket fraud since mid-July.
How the Scams Happened
Fans found sellers on social media platforms like Facebook offering tickets for G-Dragon’s concerts at AsiaWorld-Arena. The shows, part of his “Übermensch” world tour, were sold out immediately, leading many to look for resale tickets.
One victim paid HK$8,000 for two tickets originally priced at HK$2,399 each. The seller then demanded extra payments as “deposits,” and the victim ended up transferring HK$180,000 in three transactions before the seller disappeared.
“As a concert approaches, social media will inevitably be flooded with suspicious ticket posts – including scalped tickets, fake tickets or no tickets at all,” warned CyberDefender, a Hong Kong police unit.
Scalpers Selling Tickets at Insane Prices
Tickets for G-Dragon’s Hong Kong concerts were resold at 2 to 5 times their original price. Some VIP seats for the final show were listed for HK$120,000 (about US$15,400), which fans called “crazy.”
This is not the first time ticket scams have targeted G-Dragon’s concerts. In Taiwan, a scalper was arrested for making 900 million won (about US$690,000) by reselling tickets at huge markups. Some tickets originally priced at 8,980 New Taiwan dollars (about US$280) were sold for 55,000 New Taiwan dollars (about US$1,700).
Police Warning and Past Cases
Hong Kong police have seen a rise in ticket scams, with over 800 cases reported last month. These scams included fake tickets for concerts, theme parks, flights, and sports events, causing total losses of HK$4 million.
In June, eight people were arrested for selling fake tickets to concerts of Cantopop singer Nicholas Tse and Taiwanese singer Jay Chou. The group was part of a cross-border scam syndicate involved in at least 40 fraud cases, costing victims HK$650,000.
How to Avoid Ticket Scams
Police advise fans to:
- Check the seller’s background (search phone numbers, bank accounts, and social media profiles).
- Look for negative reviews before making payments.
- Avoid paying extra “deposits” after the initial purchase.
- Buy only from official platforms to reduce fraud risks.
G-Dragon’s Hong Kong Concert Details
G-Dragon performed three shows at AsiaWorld-Arena from August 8 to 10, his first solo concerts in Hong Kong in eight years. The setlist included hits like “Crayon,” “Crooked,” and “Untitled, 2014.” Due to high demand, an extra date was added.
Fans were advised not to bring large bags for faster entry. Standing zone tickets had queue numbers, and re-entry required a token. Prohibited items included professional cameras, selfie sticks, and outside food.
Similar Scams for Other Concerts
Ticket scams are not new in Hong Kong. Earlier this year, Coldplay’s concerts also faced scalping, with tickets selling out in 90 minutes and resold at double the price. The most expensive tickets, originally HK$6,599, were gone within 10 minutes.
Also Read: G-Dragon’s Malaysia Concert Sparks Outrage Over Ticket Scalping and Unfair Treatment of Local Fans
Credits: The Korea Herald
