As anticipation builds for Coldplay’s upcoming performances in January 2025, one UAE resident is left devastated after falling victim to a ticket scam that cost him AED 1,850 instead of the original ticket price of AED 700. The incident has sparked warnings among fans in local online communities about the risks of purchasing tickets from unverified sources.
In a Facebook post within the Abu Dhabi Groups, Jiji Sinni recounted his experience with a woman who he initially contacted to buy two Coldplay tickets. After paying AED 350 for one ticket, the scammer claimed that the ticket transfer process was malfunctioning and insisted he buy four tickets instead, offering a price of AED 450 each. Faced with mounting pressure, Jiji reluctantly agreed to the additional charges.
“Hey, there’s a problem. I’ve been trying to transfer one ticket, but it isn’t working; it has to be transferred in twos or all four together,” the scammer messaged. This prompted Jiji to send another AED 350, hoping to secure the tickets. However, the scammer then demanded an additional AED 200 per ticket for a name change fee, claiming it was necessary for the transfer.
Despite his reservations, Jiji was shown a screenshot that appeared to validate the scammer’s claims. “Please note that you are required to make a name change fee of 200 Dirham each before the transfer can be completed,” the screenshot read, leading Jiji to send another AED 400 to complete the transaction.
As the scam unfolded, the scammer continued to extract money from Jiji, eventually asking for a total of AED 800 to purchase the remaining two tickets. “I can’t afford to pay for four tickets,” Jiji explained in subsequent messages, yet the scammer persisted, asking how much he was willing to pay. In a moment of desperation, Jiji agreed to pay AED 450 for the remaining tickets.
Frustration grew as Jiji inquired about the delay in receiving his tickets. The scammer claimed that Ticketmaster had paused the transfer due to the outstanding name change fees, despite Jiji already having sent a considerable amount of money.
Ultimately, after Jiji paid an additional AED 300, the scammer falsely claimed that the tickets were being sent. However, as Jiji checked his Ticketmaster app, he found no trace of the tickets. His attempts to reach the scammer were met with silence, culminating in him being blocked on Facebook.
Coldplay is set to perform four shows at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi as part of their Music of the Spheres World Tour. The concerts are scheduled for January 9, 11, 12, and 14, 2025. Due to overwhelming demand, a third show was recently added after the initial dates sold out quickly.
As fans prepare for the highly anticipated shows, authorities are urging concertgoers to remain vigilant and avoid purchasing tickets from third-party sellers to prevent similar scams.
“Always verify everything before making a payment!” Jiji advised.
See their conversation below:
