Three accused of scalping Kai Tak opening tickets

Jamie Liu

Three individuals have been arrested for scalping tickets for the Kai Tak Sports Park's opening ceremony, with prices reportedly soaring to 200 times their original value.

Two of the suspects are also accused of making false sales claims.

The crackdown comes as the sports park prepares for its grand opening on Saturday, which will feature an LED light show at the main stadium for three nights starting tonight.

Police said they received a tip on Friday about the HK$10 tickets being resold online.

"The suspects were allegedly selling the tickets on online trading platforms between February 21 and 22, setting a resale price range of HK$100 to HK$2,000," superintendent Wong Yick-lung said.

Following an investigation, officers identified the three sellers, thanks in part to the real-name ticketing system, and arrested them on charges of "attempting to defraud" on Monday. Authorities said two of them were attempting to sell tickets that "do not exist."

The suspects are a man and two women aged 16 to 33. The women claim to be a student and a makeup artist.

The three have been released on bail pending further investigations and must report back to police in late March.

Sports Commissioner George Tsoi Kin-pan said those who purchased tickets through official platforms using their real names will receive an electronic redemption voucher, allowing them to exchange it for a paper ticket after identity verification.