This summer has seen a massive surge in major music events across Vietnam, from the “Brother Beyond All Hardships” concert in Hanoi (June 14–15), to the VPBank K-Star Spark in Vietnam featuring G-Dragon (June 21), and the BabyMonster & EXID show in Ho Chi Minh City (May 31). With demand skyrocketing, tickets often sell out within minutes of official release.

With limited supply, desperate fans turn to resale communities on Facebook, where posts offering regular to VIP tickets - often at two to three times the original price - flood the feed. But many of these listings are traps. Fraudsters post genuine-looking ticket photos, build fake reputations, and disappear after receiving payments.

One QR code sold to many buyers

Phuong Linh, 23, from Hanoi, was one of the victims. Unable to get official tickets for “Brother Beyond All Hardships” in December 2024, she purchased a “Chin Muoi 1” tier ticket for 3.6 million VND (approximately USD 141), double the official price. The seller agreed to meet her at the venue and provided the QR code in person.

“I felt safe because we met face to face and I paid on-site. But at the gate, the staff said the QR code was invalid and had already been used. That person must’ve sold it to multiple people,” Linh recounted bitterly. “I could only stand outside and watch as the concert began.”

In another case, Quynh Trang, 25, from Hoa Binh, managed to enter a December 2024 concert with a ticket purchased from a scalper. But 30 minutes later, the real ticket holder arrived and reported the seat discrepancy. Trang was asked to leave.

“I was so embarrassed. All my excitement to see my idol just disappeared. I thought going in with the seller would be safer, but I was still scammed,” she said.

Sophisticated scams raise alarms

To warn the public, Hưng Yen Province’s Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention Department issued a formal alert ahead of the June 14–15 “Brother Beyond All Hardships” event. Scammers use advanced tricks: buying large Facebook groups with tens of thousands of followers, purchasing verified accounts, and even faking identification documents.

Authorities urge the public to avoid transferring money to unknown accounts, no matter how convincing the images. Instead, buyers should insist on face-to-face transactions, verify all information, and confirm QR code validity before payment. Victims should report any scams to local police immediately.

While Vietnam’s thriving concert scene is turning the country into a rising entertainment destination in Asia, this growth also invites higher risks. Fans are reminded that a single unverified QR code can cost both money and the once-in-a-lifetime joy of a live show.

Only purchase tickets through official channels or trusted sellers with transparent, verifiable information.

Ha Thuong