Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Amount of Money Lost to Concert Ticket Scams in the Past Five Years

Question:

Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs (a) how much money has been lost to concert ticket scams in each year over the past five years, excluding the period where the COVID-19 pandemic when local concerts are suspended; (b) whether there has been a spike in monies lost to concert ticket scams arising from the upcoming concerts by popular international artistes; and (c) how does the Ministry intend to educate the public and prevent such scams from occurring.

Answer:

Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law:

1. The amount of money lost due to concert ticket scams was about $84,000 in 2018; $66,000 in 2019; $9,000 in 2020; $3,000 in 2021; and $175,000 in 2022. Between 1 January and 10 July this year, losses from concert ticket scams amounted to more than $518,000.

2. With regard to the measures to educate the public and prevent the occurrence of concert ticket scams, the Member may refer to my reply to Question No 6 for Written Answer on the Order Paper for 2 August 2023.