Fake IDs & Ticket Scalping The Dark Side of Former Johnny’s Concerts

Fake ID detected before entry

Two Female Fans Arrested for Using Fake IDs to Attend WEST. Concert

In an attempt to attend a concert, two female fans of the popular idol group WEST. were arrested and prosecuted for forging driver’s licenses.

The incident took place in Osaka on December 25 last year, during the group’s 10th-anniversary concert in Chuo Ward, Osaka City. Minori Wakiyama (28), an office worker from Suginami Ward, Tokyo, presented a forged driver’s license at the entrance. A staff member, suspicious of the ID, reported it immediately.

“Ticket scalping has been a persistent issue at concerts of popular groups formerly under Johnny’s. Investigations by STARTO ENTERTAINMENT and others revealed over 200 cases where tickets were resold for over 10 times their original price, with some reaching 250,000 yen per ticket. In response, STARTO took legal action against major resale sites last year to obtain information on high-price resellers.” (National Newspaper Social Affairs Reporter)

To prevent resales, organizers implemented ID checks for all attendees. This led to the discovery of Wakiyama’s forged ID.

“The ID card had an unnatural texture, which staff immediately noticed. While the photo was Wakiyama’s, the name, address, and birthdate belonged to someone else. Since this was a special 10th-anniversary concert, competition for tickets was fierce. Desperate to secure one, Wakiyama used a friend’s identity to enter multiple lotteries. When her friend won, she created a fake ID with their details and presented it at the entrance.” (Same source)

The following day, December 26, Wakiyama was arrested for using a forged official document and attempted fraud (later prosecuted). Her testimony led to the identification of her accomplice, Reiko Wada (29), an office worker from Minato Ward, Tokyo. On January 21, Wada was arrested by Osaka Prefectural Police for forging official documents.

“Wada allegedly used a computer and card printer at home and in hotels from November to December to create fake driver’s licenses. The two met through their shared ‘oshi-katsu’ (fan activities) for WEST. early last year. They had been obtaining tickets by borrowing and lending names among fellow fans and splitting the winnings.

However, with the new ID requirement, they realized they wouldn’t be able to enter even if they secured tickets. Panicking, they decided to impersonate the original winners by forging IDs. Investigators found over 20 fake driver’s licenses at Wada’s home, suggesting they planned to use them for other concerts as well.” (Investigative source)

A reckless and thoughtless act.