Photo credit: Ronald Woan / CC from 2.0
Problems caused by scalpers selling tickets for Taylor Swift’s South American tour could see rules similar to those proposed in the US Congress.
Fans trying to snag tickets for Taylor Swift’s upcoming Eras Tour stop in São Paulo are having a hard time. After queuing for days, many fans were left empty-handed as tickets sold out in 40 minutes (more than 2 million people waited in line before tickets became available). But wait, it gets worse.
Taylor Swift tickets are expected to be in high demand, but with a multitude of fans reported They received threats of violence from scalpers trying to advance in the line. Consumer advocates removed about 30 scalpers from the premises on Monday and at least ten were arrested.
Ticket scalping is already a crime in Brazil. Those caught in the act face up to two years in prison — although convictions are often commuted to community service. But the recent fiasco prompted a Brazilian congresswoman to introduce a bill to increase penalties for scalping.
The new Suggestion, led by centrist Congresswoman Simone Marquetto, is increasing the maximum sentence for scalping to four years and setting fines of up to 100 times the price scalpers charged for tickets. For Taylor Swift tickets, fines could be as high as US$125,500 (BRL600,000).
“The exploitation of the Brazilian people by so-called ‘scalpers’ at all paid events where large crowds are expected is public and notorious. “The activities of these ticket sellers rob the less fortunate and prevent them from attending the show they want and constitutes a true crime against the public economy,” says Marquetto.
“There are many examples showing that the concerns expressed above are valid. “The most recent case involves the sale of concert tickets by an international singer,” Marquetto continues, without naming Swift. “Fans claim that the vendors bought a large number of tickets, making it impossible for other consumers to (buy tickets).”