As Coldplay fans are eagerly awaiting the band’s highly-anticipated “Music of the Spheres World Tour 2025” in India, a new issue has provoked attention: black marketing and resale of concert tickets at extravagant prices.
In response to this illegal activity, BookMyShow has filed an FIR (First Information Report) against unknown individuals for ticket scalping.
The ticketing platform is also considering cancelling the tickets that have been sold illegally on third-party platforms, according to the news agency PTI.
BookMyShow’s Action:
On October 2nd, BookMyShow filed a complaint at the Vile Parle Police Station in Mumbai, accusing unidentified people of engaging in the black marketing of Coldplay tickets.
Initiated by Pooja Mitra, General Manager of the Legal Department at BookMyShow, the legal complaint highlights how tickets are being sold at inflated prices, with some reportedly reaching as high as Rs 3 lakh.
BookMyShow reportedly provided the police with 27 mobile numbers involved in this enterprise via social media platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram, and websites like Viagogo.com and Stubhub Holdings.
How was Black Marketing discovered?
When Coldplay’s tickets went live for sale on September 22, 2024, BookMyShow explicitly stated that they should not be purchased from third-party sources. However, despite this, they soon became receiving emails from individuals who promised others tickets in exchange for money.
Suspicions were raised due to the large number of tickets individuals were asking for. For example, BookMyShow highlighted how they got a request from one Ashwin for bulk ticket purchases, which they denied as they came to know that Ashwin was planning to resell the tickets and also to advance money from many, according to a report by CNBC TV18.
Legal Sections Invoked:
BookMyShow’s legal complaint has been registered under the Indian Penal Code sections related to cheating and identity theft.
Specifically, the individuals involved were booked under sections 318 (4) for cheating, 319 (2) for cheating by personation, and Section 66C of the Information Technology Act, which involves identity theft.
Leave feedback about this