PETALING JAYA: The demand for live concerts is on the rise in the post-pandemic era, prompting fans to seek tickets from third-party sellers on platforms like Carousell. To protect users from potential fraud, Carousell adheres to guidance from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) regarding the sale of local concert tickets on its platform. In a statement to LifestyleTech, the company stated that they follow MCMC’s instructions, such as moderating Coldplay’s Malaysia concert tour ticket sales earlier this year.
In May, third-party platforms listed Coldplay concert tickets for prices as high as RM43,000. This led Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil to instruct MCMC to take action against ticket resale ads on social media. Carousell has stated that they will evaluate cases involving organizers and ticketing agents providing evidence of illegal activities.
Carousell encourages users to report any suspicious listings or users through the ‘Report Listing’ and ‘Report User’ features available on both the web and the app. The company will thoroughly investigate such reports within 24 hours. However, Carousell notes that the sale of concert tickets overseas is not regulated by local enforcement agencies, and users need to take proactive measures.
LifestyleTech conducted a check and found that Carousell sellers are listing Taylor Swift concert tickets in Singapore next year for up to RM25,600. Some sellers are offering two VIP tickets along with a one-night stay at a hotel for this price. Others have listed VIP tickets for over RM9,000 and suggested that buyers follow them on social media for added trust.
Recently, an engineer in Kuching lost RM11,530 after purchasing Swift concert tickets from a Carousell seller. Three payments were made to the seller’s bank account on July 6 and 7, after which the seller could not be reached. In such fraud-related cases, Carousell advises users to make police reports, referencing the “scammer’s user ID” to help track down the suspect.
Carousell is committed to suspending or banning user accounts if there are sufficient grounds to do so. Before taking action, the company conducts an investigation to determine if the matter involves fraud or other disputes. During the investigation, the account is restricted from buying or selling items, giving the seller time to resolve the issue with the users. If the seller fails to cooperate or if fraud is confirmed, the account is suspended or banned.
Carousell urges users to exercise caution and due diligence when arranging deals. Their dedicated Trust team works diligently to moderate listings and alert users against falling for deals that seem too good to be true, especially during high-demand periods like ticket releases. Additionally, users can find more safety tips in Carousell’s Local Trends and Safety Advisories.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
