Editorial | As Hong Kong hosts more mega-events, a tougher crackdown on scalping is needed
The smashing of a syndicate that allegedly targeted ticket-buyers should be a wake-up call to better protect the city’s concertgoers
The demand-supply imbalance in tickets for concerts and other popular shows often breeds scalping activities. It also sets the stage for scammers taking advantage of desperate fans scrambling for tickets at inflated prices. The Hong Kong authorities must strengthen the law and enforcement as the newly commissioned stadium in Kai Tak and other venues draw more mega-events to the city.
This may just be the tip of the iceberg. Hong Kong police earlier said a woman was conned out of HK$180,000 on the promise of tickets for G-Dragon’s concerts at the AsiaWorld-Arena in Lantau. She was one of nearly 30 victims cheated out of over HK$610,000 for the three shows. Tickets had been priced between HK$799 and HK$2,399. The force has received more than 200 reports of related swindles since mid-July, accounting for 40 per cent of all online shopping scam cases. In May, fans of Cantopop singer Nicholas Tse Ting-fung reported losses of over HK$900,000 from suspected ticket scams linked to the star’s concerts at the Kai Tak Stadium.
The government’s pursuit of economic growth through staging mega-events has been enhanced following the opening of the 50,000-seat stadium. But it also gives fraudsters more room to exploit. While there are legal tools to punish offences such as conspiracy to defraud, possession of false instruments and obtaining property by deception, scalping is only liable to a HK$2,000 fine under the Places of Public Entertainment Ordinance.
Ticket scams are damaging to the interests of consumers, the relevant industries as well as the city’s image as Asia’s capital of mega-events. A more forceful crackdown may not necessarily address all the underlying issues contributing to problems with ticket sales, but it will at least make purchases fair and safe.