FOMO? Don’t fall for fake ticket scams

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, October 18, 2026

Scammers in Singapore continue to exploit fans buying resale concert tickets through social media and messaging apps, leading to significant financial losses despite using payment methods like PayNow. Authorities warn that even verified payment details can be deceptive and advise consumers to avoid unofficial channels and upfront bulk payments to reduce the risk of fraud.

Concert ticket scams remain a significant concern as fans increasingly seek resale tickets for sold-out events, often falling victim to fraudsters operating on social media and messaging platforms. Recent cases in Singapore highlight how perpetrators exploit popular demand and perceived payment security to deceive buyers.

One victim, 31-year-old Singaporean accountant Dai Yujing, lost over S$700 after purchasing what she thought were adjacent tickets to Taiwanese band F*Forever’s sold-out concert in Singapore on August 15. Dai encountered the seller on a Telegram group with more than 100 members interested in buying, selling, or swapping tickets. The seller, who identified as "Andi," offered two seats for S$358 each—close to the original price—with convincing screenshots that initially appeared legitimate to Dai.

Having already purchased separate tickets through the official Ticketmaster platform, Dai sought to secure seats together for her friend’s birthday on the concert day. Despite requesting to pay for only one ticket initially, the seller insisted on payment for both tickets upfront. Feeling pressured by time constraints and wanting to accommodate her friends, she transferred the funds via PayNow, a Singapore-based funds transfer service.

After the payment was made, the seller blocked Dai on Telegram, and she never received the tickets. Dai reported the incident to the police and her bank, but the money was irretrievable.

Dai’s experience reflects a common misconception regarding the safety of PayNow, which links transactions to users’ bank accounts or e-wallets via mobile numbers or unique entity numbers (UENs). However, Singapore Police Force Deputy Assistant Commissioner Chin cautioned that a displayed UEN or a PayNow QR code does not guarantee the legitimacy of the recipient. Scammers often use “money mules”—unwitting individuals whose bank accounts serve to funnel illicit funds—making it difficult to identify the true perpetrators even if the payment accounts are traceable.

Another case involved a 32-year-old Singaporean permanent resident, known only as Paul, who was defrauded when trying to buy tickets to Mariah Carey’s concert in October 2025. Paul responded to a ticket listing on Carousell and transferred S$250 to a UEN via PayNow. He verified the UEN on the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority’s (ACRA) Bizfile portal and believed the transaction was safer due to the entity being a registered educational institution. Nevertheless, he never received the tickets and lost the funds despite filing a police report.

Concert ticket scams have accounted for more than 10 percent of e-commerce scams reported to the Singapore Police Force in the first half of 2026, underscoring the persistence of this problem.

Authorities urge consumers to exercise caution when purchasing resale tickets, especially through unofficial channels or informal groups. Verifying sellers beyond payment details, avoiding upfront bulk payments to unvetted parties, and transacting via authorized platforms remain critical in protecting oneself from scams.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.