In a crackdown on illegal ticket sales, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted major raids across Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Chandigarh, and Bengaluru. The action comes amid reports of black marketing and fake tickets for two highly anticipated events: Coldplay’s “Music of the Spheres World Tour” and Diljit Dosanjh’s “Dil-Luminati” concert. With soaring demand for these shows, ticket fraud cases spiked, leading to multiple FIRs across states.
The raids were triggered by complaints from official ticketing platforms such as BookMyShow, alleging that scammers were selling counterfeit tickets at inflated prices. Fans were duped through various social media channels as they scrambled to attend the concerts, resulting in a coordinated investigation by the ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
Investigation Expands Across Five States
During the operation, the ED searched 13 locations and seized critical evidence, including mobile phones, laptops, SIM cards, and other documents linked to the scam. These materials are expected to help investigators uncover the money trail behind the fake ticket sales.
According to ED officials, suspects exploited fans’ eagerness to attend the popular events by offering both fake and genuine tickets through social media platforms. Initial findings revealed that fraudulent tickets were being promoted and sold on Instagram, WhatsApp, and Telegram, bypassing official channels like BookMyShow and Zomato Live.
Multiple FIRs Filed by BookMyShow
The case gained momentum when BookMyShow filed several FIRs against individuals involved in selling counterfeit tickets. The platform reported that unauthorized sellers were taking advantage of the overwhelming demand and black-marketing tickets at exorbitant prices. This resulted in many concert-goers being duped, forcing the ED to intervene and launch an extensive investigation.
The ED’s focus now is to trace the financial networks involved and identify how the proceeds were laundered. Officials emphasized that such scams not only harm music lovers but also disrupt the entertainment industry’s revenue stream.
Social Media at the Center of the Scam
The investigation so far points to a well-organized network that operated via popular social media platforms. The ED highlighted that fraudsters used Instagram and WhatsApp groups to circulate tickets, exploiting fans who couldn’t secure seats through official channels. These platforms made it easy for scammers to target large audiences quickly, leading to significant losses for both fans and organizers.
Upcoming Concerts Fuel High Ticket Demand
The excitement surrounding the concerts is evident, especially for Diljit Dosanjh’s “Dil-Luminati” tour, which is scheduled to kick off with back-to-back performances at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi, on 26th and 27th October. Following these shows, Diljit is set to perform in several other cities, including Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Chandigarh.
Meanwhile, Coldplay’s “Music of the Spheres” tour has also generated massive buzz among Indian fans. With such large-scale events, demand for tickets skyrocketed, pushing some buyers to explore unofficial sources and fall prey to scams.
ED’s Efforts to Curb Ticket Fraud
The ED’s raids signal a strong stance against ticket black marketing and fraud. The agency is now working to track down key suspects and disrupt the illegal network involved. Officials stressed the importance of buying tickets only through authorized platforms to avoid scams.
As investigations continue, the ED is expected to uncover more details about how these fraudulent operations were conducted and how much money was laundered through illegal sales. Fans attending future events are advised to be cautious and avoid purchasing tickets through unofficial channels.
