Three men from the mainland have been arrested for exploiting a loophole in a concert ticketing system to deceive the concert organiser out of 30,000 yuan (33,000 patacas), Public Security Police (PSP) Lei Chan Hong said at a regular press conference yesterday.
The suspects are surnamed Han, Fan and Li. Han and Li are in their thirties, while Fan is in his twenties. All of them claim to be jobless.
According to Lei, the trio took advantage of a vulnerability in the concert venue’s security measures in Cotai. Lei noted that the venue would only check for valid anti-counterfeit chops on ticket holders’ wrists and would not verify the tickets themselves once the concert had begun. Exploiting this loophole, the trio procured counterfeit chops and ink from the mainland. They forged entry chops for the concert and proceeded to sell their services on online platforms.
On Saturday, they attempted to take two of their customers into the venue, Lei said. However, their plans were thwarted by security guards and an alert on-site manager, who promptly reported the case to the police. Upon arrival, the police discovered counterfeit chops and UV flashlights in the possession of one of the suspects.
Under questioning, the trio admitted to the crime and told the police that they had taken in over 10 people using this method during Friday’s concert.
The trio have been transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office (MP), facing fraud charges, according to Lei.
This undated handout photo provided by the Public Security Police (PSP) yesterday shows police officers escorting the mainland suspects to a police station.
