Scammers are reportedly targeting BTS fans on the hunt for tickets, ahead of the Korean pop band’s highly anticipated world tour.
The global phenomenon K-pop group is set to reunite after a years-long hiatus, during which each of the seven members completed their mandatory military service in South Korea.
Alongside an upcoming fifth studio album, the Arirang World Tour will give loyal fans, who call themselves ARMY, the opportunity to see the full septet of RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook on stage for the first time in three years.
However, a report has now emerged of fraudulent websites which dupe the boyband’s global fandom platform Weverse, through which official ticketing information has been shared and merchandise is for sale.
Although tickets for the world tour are not yet on sale, these fraudulent websites are said to prompt fans to purchase tickets, according to a report in the Singaporean newspaper The Straits Times.
The publication also reported that fans who have been targeted may also have been defrauded of their credentials, according to the Russian cybersecurity company Kaspersky.
The company has advised BTS fans to ‘remain vigilant’ and also ‘take the necessary precautions when making online purchases’, such as verifying websites before making purchases through them and using protected payment methods.
‘Periods of excitement and anticipation leading up to celebrity concerts, unfortunately, also create ideal opportunities for cybercriminals,’ Adrian Hia, Kaspersky’s managing director for Asia-Pacific told the publication.
Hia noted that scammers often exploit ‘feelings of excitement and urgency’ in those they are targeting, as these can ‘override our sense of caution and reduce our inclination to scrutinise’.
Ahead of embarking on their world tour, the seven-piece superstar set will launch their comeback with a live reunion concert from Seoul’s historic Gwanghwamun Square, which will be streaming on Netflix.
This will be BTS’s first performance of tracks from their new album Arirang, which drops on March 20, the day before the performance.
And if that wasn’t enough K-pop-centric content already, the documentary BTS: The Return will also drop on Netflix next month.
Since their debut in 2013, BTS’s formula of slick choreography and bubbly music has won over millions, creating a cultural juggernaut around South Korean culture and even moving the needle on the country’s economy.
Metro contacted BTS and Kaspersky for comment on this story.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
