Fraud complaints lodged against Ne-Yo concert organizers

Colombo, Dec 26 (Daily Mirror): Fraud complaints have been lodged with the Kollupitiya Police against the organizers of the Ne-Yo concert, Brown Boy Presents, following the abrupt postponement of the event originally scheduled for December 28, 2025.

Police said two complaints, including one by the Cinnamon Grand Hotel over unpaid bills, have been lodged, and that the complaints will be referred to the Colombo Frauds Investigation Bureau (CFIB) for further investigation.

The concert, scheduled to be held on December 28, 2025, at the Sugathadasa Outdoor Stadium, was abruptly postponed due to alleged “unforeseen circumstances.”

It was reported that the organizers collected significant revenue from ticket sales, with prices set at Rs. 15,000 and above, before postponement the show under suspicious circumstances.

The controversy deepened as reports surfaced that the Sugathadasa Stadium management cancelled the venue booking after a cheque issued by the organizers was returned due to insufficient funds. Despite these financial red flags, the organizers allegedly continued aggressive social media campaigns to sell tickets until the very last moment. While Brown Boy Presents issued a statement citing “unforeseen circumstances” and claiming that refunds would be processed through the PickMe App, no specific dates or verified refund timelines have been provided to the public.

Public anger has mounted amid reports that the organizers fled the country following the postponement, allegedly defrauding the public.

Police sources said initial investigations revealed that one of the organizers, who was not named, has reportedly fled the country.