Black market Games tickets surface in Beijing
BEIJING – Black market tickets for next year’s Olympic Games in China are already being sold illegally on the internet, according to a story published on BBC Online.
Individuals who were initially allowed to buy 50 tickets each are cashing in by selling them for more than 10 times their face value.
Beijing’s Olympic Committee (BOCOG) allows tickets to be transferred between users, but not for profit.
The second round of ticket sales has just been launched, and applicants will be randomly allocated seats.
A BOCOG spokesman said, “We will work with relevant departments to respond to the practise of reselling tickets for profit.”
More than 1.5 million tickets were allocated in the first round of ticket sales, which was only open to people living in mainland China.
Some of those who secured tickets in this round are now advertising their unwanted seats on Chinese websites.
Tickets for the opening ceremony on August 8 are on sale for as much as 39,000 yuan ($5,270). Their face value is just 3,000 yuan.
Individuals who have been allocated tickets will not be given them until next summer, but this has not stopped people selling them beforehand.
Some buyers and sellers are signing contracts that promise tickets will be handed over immediately after they are issued.
People who flout resell their tickets for a profit face 10-15 days detention and a fine of 1,000 yuan, according to state media.
Ian Jarrett
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