Scalping syndicate arrested for stealing concert tickets via OTP fraud

Police have dismantled a professional scalping syndicate led by Luo Kai-chieh and seven others, who used illicit methods to secure thousands of concert tickets for resale. The group utilized “cat pool” equipment to intercept One-Time Password (OTP) verification codes, allowing them to control hundreds of ghost accounts to bypass identity verification on ticketing platforms.

Investigators found the group had successfully snatched over 2,000 tickets for major artists, including BLACKPINK, Mayday, and G.E.M., totaling approximately NT$11 million in value. The syndicate also engaged in other criminal activities, such as selling SIM cards to fraud groups and trading prohibited goods online.

Authorities conducted synchronized raids in Kaohsiung, Taoyuan, Taipei, New Taipei, and Tainan, resulting in several arrests and the seizure of mobile phones and electronic records. The suspects are facing significant bail requirements, with some amounts reaching NT$1 million.