British fans of the K-pop group BTS have lost thousands of pounds in a sophisticated ticket scam that capitalised on the frenzy surrounding the band's global tour. The scam, which police believe may have netted more than £1 million, involved counterfeit tickets sold through social media and secondary ticketing platforms. Victims, many of whom are young adults and teenagers, have reported losing sums ranging from £200 to over £2,000.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that they are investigating at least 50 complaints, with the actual number likely far higher. The scam follows a pattern common in high-demand events: fraudsters create convincing listings, often using stolen images from legitimate sellers, and demand payment via bank transfer or cryptocurrency. Once the money is sent, the tickets never arrive, and the sellers vanish.
The BTS tour, which last month sold out London's Wembley Stadium within hours, has been a target for such schemes. Ticket resale platforms have been criticised for failing to verify sellers adequately. In a statement, the UK's National Cyber Security Centre urged fans to use official resale partners and avoid paying by methods that offer no consumer protection.
The case underscores the vulnerabilities in the secondary ticketing market and the financial risk to fans driven by limited supply and intense demand. As investigations continue, authorities warn that scammers are adapting quickly, using ever more convincing fake websites and social media profiles. The emotional impact on victims, many of whom saved for months, has been significant.
One fan, a 19-year-old student from Manchester, told the BBC she had lost £1,500 intended for two tickets to the Seoul concert. 'I feel devastated and stupid,' she said. 'But the site looked so real.
' Police have urged anyone who suspects they have been scammed to contact Action Fraud.