Diljit Dosanjh, Coldplay fake ticket sales: ED conducts raids in 5 states

The ED has launched a major search across five states to tackle unauthorised ticket sales for Coldplay and Diljit Dosanjh concerts, uncovering a network selling fake or overpriced tickets on social media.

In Short

• Investigation targets Coldplay and Diljit Dosanjh's concert tickets
• Black-market sellers use social media for counterfeit ticket sales
• Multiple FIRs filed, including by Bookmyshow against scammers

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has initiated a large-scale search operation across five states—Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Chandigarh, and Bangalore—to crack down on unauthorised ticket sales for upcoming concerts by Coldplay and Diljit Dosanjh. The investigation follows multiple FIRs registered across states over fraudulent ticket sales for the highly-anticipated shows.

The probe targets the illegal sale of tickets for Dosanjh’s "Dilluminati" tour, which begins on October 26 in Delhi NCR, and Coldplay’s "Music of the Spheres World Tour," set for January 18 and 19, 2025, at Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium.

Official ticket sales on platforms like Bookmyshow and Zomato Live sold out rapidly, creating an opportunity for black-market sellers who used platforms such as Instagram, WhatsApp, and Telegram to circulate counterfeit or overpriced tickets.

Multiple FIRs have been filed across various states, including one by Bookmyshow against suspects exploiting concertgoers by selling counterfeit tickets and inflating prices.

"Searches and investigations by the ED have uncovered individuals selling unauthorised and fake tickets on social media platforms," an ED official said.

To combat these illegal activities, the ED has invoked the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, conducting searches across 13 locations in the targeted states. The searches have led to the seizure of incriminating materials, including mobile phones, laptops, and SIM cards used in the scam.