Coldplay India Concert Cancelled? All About the BookMyShow 'Fake Ticket' Black Market

Coldplay ticket scam: Fans were shocked to find concert tickets being resold for up to $11,000, prompting police intervention and raising serious concerns about ticket scalping and the black market.
  • Amit Diwan
  • Editorial
  • Updated - 2024-10-01, 14:19 IST
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In a turn of events that has left thousands of fans disheartened, the much-anticipated Coldplay concerts in Mumbai have become embroiled in controversy. What should have been a celebration of the British rock band's return to India after eight years has instead sparked outrage over alleged ticket fraud and black market sales. This debacle has not only frustrated eager concertgoers but also raised serious questions about the integrity of online ticket sales in the country.

Coldplay India Concert Tickets Scam

This marks the band's first concert series in India since 2016. Tickets were scheduled to go on sale through the official vendor, BookMyShow (BMS), at 12 PM IST on September 22. However, many fans experienced significant issues accessing the website and app due to overwhelming demand.

Coldplay India Concert Cancelled

Once fans managed to enter the virtual queue, they found themselves behind hundreds of thousands of others. The tickets, priced between 2,500 and 35,000 rupees ($30 to $417), sold out within minutes. Shortly after, these tickets reappeared on various resale platforms for prices as high as 960,000 rupees ($11,458), sparking outrage among fans who felt cheated by the ticketing process.

From Disappointment to Outrage: Fans Cry Foul

Amit Vyas, a Mumbai-based lawyer, voiced the frustration felt by many, "Not a single person that I know in Mumbai and outside Mumbai – I got so many calls from friends in Delhi – no one got a ticket." Vyas didn't just complain; he took action by filing a police complaint, alleging that BMS had made tickets available to scalpers and third-party websites for black market resale.

The use of bots to snatch up tickets en masse is suspected, leaving genuine fans out in the cold. This practice, if proven true, would represent a significant breach of trust and potentially violate consumer protection laws.

BookMyShow Coldplay India Concert Scam

The controversy has drawn the attention of law enforcement. Mumbai police's Economic Offences Wing summoned Ashish Hemjarani, BookMyShow's founder and CEO, for questioning regarding the alleged black market ticket sales. The seriousness of these allegations cannot be overstated, potentially tarnishing the reputation of one of India's leading ticketing platforms.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), BookMyShow denied any association with unauthorised ticket-selling or reselling platforms. The company emphasised that it had filed a complaint with law enforcement regarding the alleged sale of fake tickets on certain platforms. "Scalping is strictly condemned and punishable by law in India," they stated. "We have filed a complaint with the police authorities and will provide complete support to them in the investigation of this matter."

Don't Miss:‘Fake Tickets’ for Coldplay Concert: BookMyShow Issues Warning Against Unauthorised Sellers

Coldplay India Concert Cancelled?

Fans have taken to social media to express their concerns, with some even speculating about the possibility of the concerts being cancelled due to the ticketing scandal. While these fears are currently unfounded, they underscore the level of distrust and disappointment permeating the fanbase.

Coldplay's India Concert Third Show?

Originally planned as two shows at Mumbai's DY Patil Stadium in January 2025, a third date was added due to overwhelming demand. However, the ticketing fiasco has cast a shadow over what should have been a triumphant return.

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As the investigation unfolds, the incident raises broader questions about the ticketing industry in India. How can future events prevent such widespread scalping and potential fraud? What measures can be implemented to ensure fair access for genuine fans?

Coldplay's India Concert Date

Coldplay is set to perform three shows in Mumbai as part of their Music Of The Spheres tour on January 18, 19, and 21, 2025.

Don't Miss:Coldplay India Concert: Missed Mumbai Tickets? Find Out Where to Catch Them Live

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