In Australia and Canada, authorities have called for vigilance. At least 273 people have been victims of scammers in Australia, while in Canada, victims were approached on Facebook Marketplace, only to have their accounts blocked by the scammers.
Sponsored scams on Instagram
Other scammers try another, less sophisticated approach. On Instagram, it only took us a few clicks to let the algorithm think we were interested in buying concert tickets. Quickly, we were targeted by advertisements proclaiming that Ticketmaster was selling tickets at knockdown prices, at 1.95 euros or 2 euros per ticket, when official tickets were sold for between 70 and 245 euros. For VIP packs, prices soar up to 845 euros, according to our colleagues at PureCharts.
These advertisements referred to a false lottery aimed at obtaining the personal contact details of Internet users. A search in the Meta ad library shows that around thirty targeted advertisements were broadcast over two weeks on Instagram and Facebook.
These advertisements do not come from Ticketmaster. They also contravene Meta's rules, explains a representative of the American giant, without explaining to us how they were able to slip through the cracks of moderation.
Buying on resale sites, a risky strategy
To get tickets, other fans go through well-established resale sites, where prices skyrocket, while in France, the law prohibits the resale of a ticket at a price higher than the original price. 'purchase. The Stubhub site is particularly popular with Swifties. If you are refused access to the concert, it guarantees either to find you another place at the time of the concert, or to reimburse you. A good option if you are given a counterfeit note? Please note, you must take the time to read the reimbursement conditions. These stipulate that you must provide proof that you have been refused access to the performance hall.
Furthermore, Ticketmaster tells us that “the resale of a ticket through unauthorized points of sale renders it invalid and may result in refusal of entry”. So at your own risk.
So how can you be sure you're buying a valid ticket? In Australia, the authorities responsible for the fight against fraud advise only going through official resellers. If you come into contact with a seller through social networks, it is possible that the scammer has taken possession of an authentic account, making the buyer believe that he is chatting with a trusted person, warn these same authorities.
As for the many, many Swifties who were unable to get a place, they will be able to do a catch-up session while watching the concert at home. An extended version of The Eras Tour will be available from March 15 on Disney+. And, no, this time it's not a hoax.
