The coming Justin Bieber concert is still two months away, but already there are scammers or swindlers trying to make a fast buck on what could be the biggest show to feature an international music artist in the country this year.
Rhiza Pascua, head of Music Management International (MMI), the lone producer and official promoter of the Bieber concert on Sept. 30 at the Philippine Arena, has issued on her Twitter account a warning that there are scammers on the loose offering bogus deals on tickets to the show.
Her warning came on the heels of the following online posts:
On July 2, a
certain Jones Villaroman wrote on his Facebook wall: “Selling discounted Justin Bieber tickets 5% discount. Until July 7/8 orders only. Meet up for the tickets and payment on July 9/10. Sure buyers only. No need to fall in line.”
When somebody asked Villaroman to post a sample photo of the tickets, he replied that he’s a “friend of the producer” but “we don’t have the tickets yet.”
Pascua told the Inquirer that she did not know who Villaroman was, and that tickets to the Bieber concert had not even been printed yet.
Also on July 2, a certain Allan Jared Lee posted on his Facebook wall an unusual, if ridiculous, offer. He was offering to be the guardian of minors who would watch the concert – if his own ticket could be upgraded because he would want to be near the stage.
All he was asking in return was to be treated to a chicken meal at McDonald’s, with extra rice.
Lee did not mention what section his ticket would. But of course he could not specify, since there were no tickets yet.
Still another Facebook announcement caught Pascua’s attention, perhaps the most suspicious of all.
On June 30, a Facebook account named Purpose Tour Manila said: “The tickets that we’re going to give to the selected 3 lucky winners came from our sponsors. We’re still open for any sponsorship so we can also give Purpose tour merchandise as consolation prizes to 10 selected people who commented on our Giveaway Promo post.”
Pascua added to her warning that people should report to her any other incidents or questionable online posts. “We will expose them,” she said.
Tickets to the concert will be released and sold on July 9, only at SM Tickets outlets. Tel. 470 2222. Log on: smtickets.com. /atm
