A group of Indonesian BTS fans (ARMY) are speaking out after allegedly becoming victims of a BTS merchandise scam involving a BTS pop-up store in Jakarta. The fans claim they paid for official BTS merchandise—mostly through pre-orders—but never received their items or refunds, despite months of follow-ups.
The case has raised serious concerns about accountability, vendor transparency, and consumer protection in K-pop retail events, especially those that appear official.
BTS Merchandise Scam: Why Fans Trusted the Pop-Up Store At First
According to the victims, the BTS pop-up store initially appeared legitimate and professional:
- The store was promoted via Instagram under the name Echo of Seoul
- Information about the pop-up was reportedly available on Weverse, a platform fans associate with official BTS announcements
- The physical store displayed official BTS merchandise and branding
- Payments were processed via EDC machines, cashier systems, and order forms
- Customers were asked to fill out Google Forms for pre-orders, reinforcing the impression of a proper retail operation
“As fans, we know how official BTS pop-up stores usually work. This didn’t look suspicious at all,” one victim explained.
Because of this, many fans felt safe purchasing items—especially rare merchandise that is normally only available at concerts or overseas pop-ups.
When the Problems Started: Pre-Orders That Never Arrived
While customers who bought in-stock items mostly received their purchases, problems began with pre-order (PO) items, particularly toward the final months of the store’s operation. This problem aroused during the pop-up store event in Jakarta from December 2024 to early 2025.
Case 1: Ms. S — Jacket Pre-Order Worth IDR 1.7 Million
Ms. S pre-ordered a BTS jacket she had been searching for a long time. The item was listed in the store’s catalog but not available on-site.
“I was told to just pre-order it at the store. I paid using the EDC machine, filled out the Google Form, and was told the item would arrive in one to two months.”
Months passed. Each time she followed up, the store cited shipping and customs issues. Eventually, she received an email asking whether she wanted a refund or preferred to wait.
“I chose to wait, because I really wanted the product.”
After around five months, responses became repetitive and then stopped entirely. The Instagram account became unreachable, and no refund was issued.
Case 2: Ms. F — Lightstick for j-hope Concert Never Delivered
Ms. F purchased a BTS lightstick in March ahead of j-hope’s Jakarta concert in May.
“They recorded everything—my data, the order, even wrote it down in a book. It really felt official.”
When delays occurred, she was offered a refund and submitted the required form. She was told refunds would be processed within 30 working days.
“June passed. July passed. August passed. There was no lightstick, no refund, and no reply.”
As a result, she attended the concert without a lightstick, despite having paid for one months earlier.
Case 3: Ms. Z — Pre-Order, Membership Fees, and Missing Items
Ms. Z placed a pre-order in late December for a small BTS lightstick accessory. Although the item was initially presented as available stock, she was later told it was actually a pre-order.
She was also required to purchase a paid membership to complete the order.
“I wasn’t told pre-orders were only for members until after I had already paid.”
Despite paying both for the merchandise and the membership, she never received the item, the membership kit, or even a refund.
Her total loss reached approximately IDR 650,000.
Discovery of a Wider BTS Merchandise Scam Pattern
After communication with the store stopped, victims began searching social media—and discovered they were not alone.
They formed a victims’ group with at least 26 confirmed members. Many of the members reported the same issues, including missing BTS merchandise, unprocessed refunds, and suddenly vanished communication channels. Some also shared information that vendors and workers were allegedly unpaid, while the party believed to be responsible could no longer be contacted.
“We don’t even know who to hold responsible anymore. We’re just customers—we paid the BTS pop-up store directly.”
A New BTS Pop-Up Store, Same Location, No Answers
In October 2025, a new BTS pop-up store opened at the same location (Neo Soho, Jakarta). Hoping for clarity, victims visited the store together.
The response they received was unexpected.
“They told us they were a different management.”
Yes. The two pop-up stores were organized by different managements. The first one, the one allegedly scammed the customers, was managed by so-called “Rakta.” Meanwhile, the second one was entirely different management.
While the new organizers offered to collect transaction evidence and claimed they would forward it to higher parties (including HYBE or intermediaries), victims later learned:
- The case was allegedly forwarded to a third party instead
- That third party publicly denied involvement
- Victims received no confirmation that HYBE was ever contacted
This left fans confused and frustrated.
“If this is official BTS merchandise, shouldn’t someone at the top take responsibility?”
What the Victims Are Demanding
Based on the interview, the victims are not seeking attention for its own sake. Their demands are clear and consistent:
- Clear accountability
They want an identified party—vendor, organizer, or rights-holder—to officially take responsibility. - Resolution for all victims
They demand either delivery of the promised BTS merchandise, or full refunds for all affected buyers. - Official response from HYBE or authorized representatives
Victims want confirmation that the issue has been reviewed at the rights-holder level. - Transparency and proof of escalation
If third parties claim to be helping, victims want evidence: dates, departments contacted, and outcomes.
“We’re not asking for anything unreasonable. Just our money back or the items we paid for.”
A Cautionary Tale for BTS Merchandise Buyers
This alleged BTS pop-up store scam highlights how even experienced fans can be misled when events appear official. Physical stores, professional branding, and structured payment systems are no longer guarantees of consumer safety.
As BTS merchandise continues to be in high demand worldwide, fans are urging others to be more cautious when placing pre-orders. They emphasize the importance of keeping all receipts and communication records. If problems arise, they also encourage fans to speak up collectively, rather than dealing with issues alone.
The victims hope that by sharing their story publicly, they can finally obtain accountability—and prevent similar cases from happening again.
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I went to that store! And bought keychain. All seemed perfect. Never thought it happened.