BTS Ticket Scams Cost Southeast Asian Fans Over $100,000

"It was horrible," said a 26-year-old fan who lost $1,200 to a ticket scam. "I feel sad and heartbroken."

Fans across Southeast Asia are losing thousands of dollars to ticket scammers exploiting the frenzy surrounding BTS's post-pandemic tour. In one case, a fan in Jakarta spent two months' salary on fake tickets—only to be left empty-handed.

The Scam in Jakarta

On June 9, a 26-year-old BTS fan in Jakarta, Indonesia, attempted to purchase concert tickets through Ticketmaster. After multiple failed attempts, she turned to a reseller on X (formerly Twitter).

She bought four VIP tickets for $1,200—approximately two months of her salary. Once the payment was made, the seller stopped all communication.

A Widespread Problem

Fans across Southeast Asia have collectively lost more than $100,000 to scammers. BTS is performing 15 of its 88 tour shows in the region, fueling extreme demand.

Other Scams Reported

• In Thailand, 126 fans filed a formal complaint with lawmakers after falling victim to a scam that promised to help them wait in line for tickets.
• Scammers have also infiltrated online fan groups, gaining trust before offering fake tickets.
• Some fraudsters offer "power of attorney forms" to make their schemes appear legitimate.

Authorities Respond

Officials have issued warnings about ticket scams, but fans continue to fall victim as demand far outstrips supply. The band resumed touring after a pandemic-related hiatus, intensifying the rush for tickets.

For many fans, what should be a dream concert has turned into a financial and emotional nightmare.