Published on 05:38 PM, December 29, 2023

Charlie Puth Concert in Dhaka likely a scam

Photos: Collected

The anticipation surrounding the "Charlie Puth Live in Dhaka" concert, scheduled for February 10, 2024, has taken an unexpected turn as doubts arise about the authenticity of the event organised by Silverline Events. While the country eagerly awaited the musical extravaganza featuring the international sensation, recent developments suggest that all may not be as it seems.

Silverline Events, the organisers behind the much-anticipated concert, officially announced the date on their official page, generating excitement amongst fans. In a surprising move, they also revealed that two additional local artistes would join Charlie Puth on stage at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB). However, scepticism emerged when the ticket prices were disclosed, starting at an unusually low Tk 2000, raising eyebrows and sparking speculation amongst concertgoers.

The plot thickened with the emergence of rumours about a possible scam when the event organisers sought media partnership with The Daily Star. While waiting for verification, the organisers informed us that a video announcement featuring the artiste would be released shortly.

However, doubts deepened when The Daily Star's Aaqib Hasib reached out to Charlie Puth's brand manager, Brent Smith, via email only to receive a statement that no show had been confirmed.

Screenshots of emails exchanged between Charlie Puth’s brand manager, Brent Smith, and The Daily Star’s correspondent Aaqib Hasib.

"Not sure how this story originated but it is not accurate information. Charlie is not scheduled to Bangladesh," responded Brent Smith to The Daily Star's correspondent.

The manager expressed confusion about the origins of the story, stating categorically that the information was inaccurate and that Charlie Puth was not scheduled to perform in Bangladesh.

The scepticism intensified when one Nafisa Nawal, a vigilant individual, took to social media to share her concerns. In a public service announcement, Nawal revealed two critical pieces of information that cast doubt on Silverline Events' credibility. Firstly, she asserted that the organisers had not collaborated with MGH on any Career Fair, debunking their claims. Secondly, she pointed out that an image purportedly from the CPC Career Fair was, in fact, from the BYLC Career Expo, visibly contradicting the organisers' statements.

Nawal's post resonated with many, raising questions about the legitimacy of the entire event. "Stay woke, y'all. Charlie Puth has not even toured India, and he is not currently on tour anywhere," she emphasised, urging caution amongst potential concert attendees. Nawal expressed disbelief at the ticket prices, deeming them unusually low for an international artiste of Charlie Puth's stature.

Screenshots of one Nafisa Nawal’s Facebook post.

Adding another layer to the cloud of doubts, it was discovered that the number provided for ticket payments was flagged as 'scammer' on the True Caller App, further fueling suspicions of fraudulent activities associated with the event.

After all these developments, the Silverline Events page has suspiciously gone missing, and the organisers are unreachable via phone.

As the controversy surrounding the alleged scam deepens, The Daily Star remains committed to uncovering the truth behind the "Charlie Puth Live in Dhaka" concert, ensuring transparency for the eager audience and shedding light on the credibility of Silverline Events.

As Bangladesh's leading English newspaper, The Daily Star recognises the previous coverage of this news as a lapse in judgement and apologises for any misinformation that may have been perpetuated through it. We will keep bringing you the best and most vigilant news coverage, as is our commitment to our readers.