SCALPERS OUT TO RIP OFF MUSIC LOVERS: SPENCE
Published Sunday, 26 August, 2007 at 08:00 AM
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
Minister for Police Judy Spence has warned anyone caught scalping tickets to the upcoming Justin Timberlake concerts at Suncorp Stadium could be charged and fined.
“Tickets for the two Justin Timberlake concerts at Suncorp Stadium went on sale on Friday and people are already trying to sell tickets to his shows at inflated prices on online auction sites like EBay,” Ms Spence said.
“We will not tolerate people who seek to profit from selling their tickets online and I am warning ticket scalpers that police are monitoring online auction sites and will charge anyone who sells tickets for more than they are worth.”
“As Justin Timberlake sings, ‘what goes around… comes all the way back around!’”
Ms Spence also warned people who purchase a scalped ticket could be wasting their money.
“Any tickets that organisers believe have been sold by scalpers will become invalid which means the person who buys them will have lost their money as well as the tickets.”
“Scalping deprives genuine fans of live music to see their favourite performer at a reasonable price and they instead pay the price set by the ‘middle man’ preying on their desire to attend concerts.”
Ms Spence said under anti-scalping laws anyone caught scalping a ticket can be fined up to $1500 for each offence and buyers can be fined up to $375.
“Since penalties for scalping were introduced last December 10 people have been charged with 12 scalping offences.”
“Six people have been fined a total of $3150 for scalping, three people received good behaviour bonds and one case is still pending.
“EBay is cooperating with Queensland police and will remove any tickets police believe are being illegally sold for profit from their website.”
Ms Spence said anyone who was selling their ticket to another person at its purchase price would not be prosecuted for scalping.
“I am sure Justin Timberlake will put on a great show for his fans at Suncorp Stadium and Queensland police are making sure fans don’t have to pay inflated prices to see him,” Ms Spence said.
Media Contact: Nicola Hazell 3239 6172, 0408 732 491
“Tickets for the two Justin Timberlake concerts at Suncorp Stadium went on sale on Friday and people are already trying to sell tickets to his shows at inflated prices on online auction sites like EBay,” Ms Spence said.
“We will not tolerate people who seek to profit from selling their tickets online and I am warning ticket scalpers that police are monitoring online auction sites and will charge anyone who sells tickets for more than they are worth.”
“As Justin Timberlake sings, ‘what goes around… comes all the way back around!’”
Ms Spence also warned people who purchase a scalped ticket could be wasting their money.
“Any tickets that organisers believe have been sold by scalpers will become invalid which means the person who buys them will have lost their money as well as the tickets.”
“Scalping deprives genuine fans of live music to see their favourite performer at a reasonable price and they instead pay the price set by the ‘middle man’ preying on their desire to attend concerts.”
Ms Spence said under anti-scalping laws anyone caught scalping a ticket can be fined up to $1500 for each offence and buyers can be fined up to $375.
“Since penalties for scalping were introduced last December 10 people have been charged with 12 scalping offences.”
“Six people have been fined a total of $3150 for scalping, three people received good behaviour bonds and one case is still pending.
“EBay is cooperating with Queensland police and will remove any tickets police believe are being illegally sold for profit from their website.”
Ms Spence said anyone who was selling their ticket to another person at its purchase price would not be prosecuted for scalping.
“I am sure Justin Timberlake will put on a great show for his fans at Suncorp Stadium and Queensland police are making sure fans don’t have to pay inflated prices to see him,” Ms Spence said.
Media Contact: Nicola Hazell 3239 6172, 0408 732 491