Beware of Fake BTS "Arirang" Tickets: ARMY Fans Warned of Scam Campaign

Jakarta, VIVA — Kaspersky researchers have discovered a scam campaign targeting BTS fans following the recent announcement of the group’s “Arirang” world tour.

Fake websites mimicking BTS’s official fandom platform, Weverse, have been spotted luring unsuspecting fans into making purchases that are never fulfilled.

Following the official announcement of the BTS 2026 world tour, cybercriminals exploited fan enthusiasm to launch scam campaigns capitalising on the euphoria.

Imitating the official BTS fandom platform Weverse, these fraudulent websites were seen selling membership tickets. However, the sites have no affiliation with HYBE, BTS, or Weverse, and are solely designed to deceive unsuspecting fans.

Beyond losing money from the initial purchase, individuals may face greater financial losses as scammers can exploit stolen credentials to expand their fraud campaigns.

Furthermore, recent Kaspersky research revealed that personal data collected through these phishing sites can even be sold on the dark web for use in targeted attacks.

These credentials — once leaked — enable cybercriminals to create highly personalised scams, turning one-time victims into long-term targets for financial and identity fraud.

“Periods of enthusiasm and anticipation ahead of celebrity concerts unfortunately also create ideal opportunities for cybercriminals. They often exploit the feelings of excitement and urgency experienced by individuals, as these can override our vigilance and reduce our tendency to observe carefully. As we enter 2026 with numerous pop concerts planned across the Asia-Pacific region, it is crucial that we exercise caution and take proactive steps to protect ourselves from these scams, particularly as AI continues to enhance their fraud capabilities,” said Adrian Hia, Kaspersky’s Managing Director for Asia Pacific, on Friday, 20 February 2026.

To avoid falling victim to scams, Kaspersky advises the following:

• Verify the authenticity of online shops before making purchases. Always double-check URLs, brand name spellings, and whether the site is an official retailer or authorised partner.