The excitement surrounding Coldplay’s upcoming concerts in Mumbai is palpable, but the joy is being marred by reports of black market ticket sales. BookMyShow, the official ticketing partner for the British rock band’s performance at the DY Patil Stadium on January 17-19, 2024, has taken a strong stance against this illegal activity.
On Friday, BookMyShow filed a complaint at the Vile Parle Police Station in Mumbai against an unknown individual or individuals involved in the black market sale of concert tickets. The complaint stems from reports that tickets were being sold at exorbitant prices through various social media platforms including WhatsApp and Instagram, much to the detriment of fans eager to see Coldplay perform.
BookMyShow provided the police with a list of 27 mobile numbers identified as being used to sell tickets at inflated rates. These numbers are believed to be linked to accounts on websites like Viagogo.com, where tickets, possibly counterfeit, are being sold at prices far exceeding the official rates.
The complaint was filed after Pooja Mitra, general manager of the legal department of BookMyShow, reported the issue to the police. BookMyShow had explicitly warned fans against buying tickets from third-party sellers when the tickets went on sale on September 22. Despite this, the platform received emails from individuals claiming to have booked large quantities of tickets and offering to secure tickets for others in exchange for money.
The police have registered a case under sections of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (Indian Penal Code) related to cheating and identity theft, as well as under the Information Technology Act, targeting those involved in this illegal operation.
This incident highlights the growing problem of ticket black markets, where opportunistic individuals exploit popular events for financial gain, often at the expense of legitimate fans. BookMyShow’s proactive approach and the police investigation are a positive step towards combating this issue and ensuring that fans can enjoy the concert without falling prey to these unscrupulous activities.
