Black marketers go hitech, now on Net

Hyderabad: Black marketers have now gone hitech by accessing social media to sell movie tickets at high prices. Some FB pages and WhatsApp groups are dedicated to selling movie tickets in black.

Police said such social media websites and their operations are under surveillance. With strict police vigil at theatres screening Baahubali 2 to nab black marketers, black marketing gangs are finding the going difficult.

Police found that agents purchased tickets through online portals and sold them in the black at high prices on Friday and Thursday. But as there was strict police vigil at theatres they took to social media to run their business.

The crooks created closed Facebook groups and WhatsApp groups to sell Baahubali tickets in the black. One such group is the ‘Spread the Word Hyderabad’ Facebook group which is offering Baahubali tickets to its members at high prices.

Surprised at the huge demand for tickets in the group one of the members suggested to change the group's name. He said, “Admins, please rename this group as Bahubali Black Ticket Sellers Association”.

One member of the group supposed to be an agent, posted ticket images in the group and asked other members who want to have the tickets to inbox him.
A member of the group on condition of anonymity said, “Most members in the group are professionals working for MNCs and due to their busy schedules they are buying tickets on this platform so that they do not miss the movie on the large screen.”

Meanwhile, some tech savvy fans who are operating WhatsApp groups have also posted tickets in their groups and are collecting double the price for the ticket.

Police said they are working on clues and trying to track down the gangs.
“We have clear information about the gangs and their activities are closely watching them. Any person who comes across such anti-social activities should inform the police,” Rachakonda SOT inspector K. Narsing Rao said.