Riots, stampedes could occur if ticket scams not curbed: Experts

As Singapore courts more acts to perform here, it needs to first tackle the issue of concert ticket scams, as it could lead to public order concerns.

- Nadine Chua

If trouble breaks out at a concert due to fans' frustration at getting scammed and not being allowed into the venue, the consequences can be quite devastating, said some experts.

Speaking to The Sunday Times on March 11, Assistant Commissioner of Police Aileen Yap said the police are concerned about not just victims falling prey to concert ticket scams, but also public order issues that could arise from their unhappiness.

AC Yap, who is also assistant director of the police's Anti-Scam Command, said: "Imagine if a large number of fans fly all the way to Singapore and arrive at a concert venue to watch their favourite act, only to find out they cannot enter because they've been scammed.

"These scams can escalate to public disorder issues, and I think if it happens, the damage to Singapore's reputation as an event venue can be very large." The police said that between Jan 1 and March 12, at least 1,551 victims had fallen prey to e-commerce scams involving concert tickets, with total losses amounting to at least $737,000.

At least 960 of these victims had fallen for scams involving Taylor Swift concert tickets and more than $538,000 was lost.