Seoul, en.SERU.co.id — The global K-pop wave keeps pulling in record crowds of international fans, but it’s also creating fresh headaches for authorities. Fraud reports from foreign visitors have nearly quadrupled in just two years, with many cases tied directly to concert tickets and merchandise.
According to data from South Korea’s National Police Agency, the number of foreigners who reported falling victim to fraud jumped from 5,307 cases in 2023 to 19,907 in 2025. That’s a sharp rise that tracks closely with the post-pandemic tourism rebound.
The most common trick is the classic proxy purchase scam. Overseas fans, struggling with local ticketing sites or language barriers, send money upfront to someone in Korea promising to buy and ship limited-edition merch or hard-to-get concert tickets. Then the seller ghosts them.
It’s not abstract. During BTS’s recent shows in Busan on June 12-13, five of the seven crimes reported by foreign visitors at the venue were scams.
Tourism surge fuels the problem
South Korea welcomed a record 18.94 million foreign visitors in 2025 (a 71.7% increase from 2023) with K-pop and Hallyu culture driving much of that growth.
Lawmaker Kim Jun-hwan of the Democratic Party, who received the police data, put it plainly:
“As more foreign nationals visit South Korea to experience Korean culture, stronger measures are needed to prevent them from becoming victims of crime.”
He’s urging better coordination between government agencies to protect visitors and safeguard the country’s image as a top cultural destination.
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How fans can stay safe
Authorities and media outlets are pushing simple advice: Stick to official channels like Weverse or verified ticketing platforms. Avoid sending money to unverified proxies on social media, even if they seem legit. Use secure payment methods and always double-check seller details.
The K-pop phenomenon has delivered massive economic and cultural wins for South Korea. But like any booming scene, it’s attracting opportunists. Fans will keep coming — just hopefully a bit wiser.
*(Sources: The Korea Times, The Korea Herald, Yonhap News Agency, The Straits Times).
