Man charged over fake Mark Ronson gig in Perth

A 34-year-old Alfred Cove man has been charged with three counts of fraud for allegedly booking Mark Ronson for a DJ set without his knowledge.

As previously reported by TMN, the Matisse Beach Club in Scarborough advertised and sold ticket and hospitality packages for up to $1,100, for its Winter Funk Fest on July 25.

The set’s timing should have been an initial red flag for the unaware venue, which apologised and refunded ticket-buyers on the day of the event. Winter Funk Fest took place four days after Ronson had already performed in Perth, and a day after his Splendour headline show in Byron Bay.

According to WA Today, police have said the man contacted the Matisse Beach Club a month before the event in June and even posed as two other men to persuade management into signing a contract and into paying him “a sum of money.”

Perth police told TMN the three fraud charges brought against the man by Perth’s Major Fraud Squad are in relation to three transactions from management at Matisse Beach Club.

Mark Ronson made his fans aware of the falsely advertised event on July 26 through a string of tweets.

The 39-year-old offered anyone with existing tickets to Winter Funk Fest tickets to his next, yet-to-be-scheduled show in Perth.

Further details of the ‘fake promoter’ will be revealed on October 1, when he is due to appear in the Perth Magistrates Court.

TMN has also reached out to vodka brand/event sponsor Cîroc for comment.

See Ronson's Twitter tirade below: