Singapore-based music fans have been struggling with ticket scalpers since the return of live music following the pandemic.
One fan, Ms Kaethe Fok, told Channel News Asia (CNA) that she was attempting to buy tickets to watch K-pop group Mamamoo, but was faced with extortionate prices. Missing out on the initial sales, she turned to online marketplace Carousell.
However, the university student faced prices as high as S$800 (£500/€560/$600). She told CNA: “They’re not genuine fans that are buying the tickets, but rather buying to sell them, and then at such a high price.”
The annual tournament for online game Dota 2, The International, also saw gaming fans suffer at the hands of scalpers with reports of tickets going for as much as S$9,999 a pair – almost ten times the original price.
Other events such as the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix also noted that fans have struggled with buying tickets on the secondary market.
A spokesperson said: “Buying from the secondary market has backfired on genuine Grand Prix fans, who have been turned away because their tickets have been voided.”
The city-state does not have rules in place like many other countries surrounding the resale of tickets.
For example, in Western Australia, it is illegal to resell most tickets above 10% of the original value.
However, in Singapore the feeling is that if buyers are willing to pay, the government should not get involved.
According to CNA, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) has previously said: “Government should not prescribe profit margins for ticket resales. The Government’s approach on consumer protection is based on promoting fair trading by businesses and helping consumers make informed purchasing decisions.”