Woman who scammed BTS fans lands in jail

MANILA, Philippines — A 27-year-old woman ended up in jail for allegedly orchestrating an online ticket scam targeting fans of the South Korean boy band BTS.

The suspect, known only as Shai, is facing complaints for estafa in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act. She was arrested in an entrapment operation in San Lazaro, Manila on July 22.

Anti-Cybercrime Group director Maj. Gen. Wilson Asueta said Shai was nabbed after a woman complained that she was duped by the suspect.

The victim told cybercrime investigators that the concert ticket she purchased from Shai worth P14,200 was also sold to another buyer.

A source who spoke on condition of anonymity said the ticket was for a BTS concert, but it is unclear if the show is for the pop group’s concert in the Philippines in March 2027.

Five more people who purchased the BTS concert ticket bearing identical seat numbers were scammed by the suspect, according to Asueta.

Police urged the public to buy concert tickets only at authorized ticketing platforms or verified sellers to avoid becoming victims of scammers.

“Scammers continue to exploit the BTS fans by offering concert tickets online at cheaper prices,” Asueta said.

He said people should avoid making advance payments without verification and report suspicious online transactions to police.