Fans of Hong Kong star Nicholas Tse report losses of HK$900,000 over ticket scams
Police say nearly 100 cases of online shopping scams linked to recent ‘Evolution Nic Live’ Kai Tak Stadium shows
Fans of Cantopop singer Nicholas Tse Ting-fung have reported losses of over HK$900,000 (US$116,000) from suspected ticket scams linked to the star’s recent concerts, with Hong Kong police urging residents to be vigilant before Taiwanese band Mayday’s shows begin on Friday.
Tse performed across four nights from April 24 and became the first Chinese singer to hold concerts at the venue, taking the stage just weeks after British rock band Coldplay.
Police said the losses from the scams, which were reported between January 1 and Tuesday, were estimated to have exceeded HK$900,000.
“These fraudsters typically request payment for the tickets to be transferred to personal bank accounts, after which the seller disappears, leaving victims with their losses,” the force said on its social media account on Wednesday.
Last year, losses from fraudulent concert ticket sales exceeded HK$18 million across about 1,700 cases, representing around 15 per cent of the total number of online shopping scam reports and 5 per cent of the overall amount involved.
Popular Taiwanese band Mayday is set to begin its four-day “Mayday #5525 Live Tour in Hong Kong” at the stadium on Friday. The band also plays on Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday.