Before Messi in America, there is first the Messi episode in China. And his presence for a friendly against Australia in the capital on Thursday has attracted crooks and ticket thieves ready for anything, Beijing police say. The latter notably warned against a widely distributed advertisement which promises an evening with Messi for 300,000 yuan (39,000 euros).
Other more than dubious offers posted online include “internal” stadium passes priced at 5,000 yuan (650 euros) and a “tailor-made VIP package” including a signed jersey, seats on the first floor. rank and a photo with Messi at the price of more than 8,000 yuan (1,040 euros).
Even bolder, for 50 million yuan (6.5 million euros), Messi will appear in your company’s livestream to promote your product, claims another fraudulent advertisement. The 35-year-old footballer, who touched down in Beijing on Saturday, will lead the world champions against the Socceroos at the newly refurbished 68,000-capacity Beijing Workers’ Stadium.
Chinese fans desperately wanted to approach their hero, and tickets for the match of up to 4,800 yuan (620 euros) sold out very quickly.
In addition, dozens of merchants on the online shopping platform Taobao offer to resell tickets for up to 18,000 yuan (2,350 euros), despite the measures taken to combat scams, in particular the obligation to present a ID to enter the stadium.
