North Vancouver RCMP is warning the public to beware of online scams involving the sale of tickets to upcoming Taylor Swift concerts.
Police have received two reported incidents where victims responded to ads for Taylor Swift tickets on Facebook Marketplace. In each case, when e-transfer payments were made, the “seller” stopped all communication. The scammer then usually blocked the victim’s account or deleted the fake account, leaving the buyer without their money or tickets. Similar scams have been reported across the Lower Mainland and Canada.
In the first instance, the victim found the ad online and contacted the seller for an agreed price of $1020.00 for the tickets. The victim e-transferred the money and the suspect sent an email with a wallet attachment but no actual instructions for a Ticketmaster transfer. Once the victim inquired further, the suspect stopped responding.
In the second instance, the victim responded to an ad on Facebook Marketplace for four tickets. The seller and victim communicated for an agreed price of $1400. The victim e-transferred money to the seller who then requested $400 more. The seller finally sent the tickets to the victim via email but did not provide the passcode to redeem the tickets. Shortly after, the seller stopped responding to the victim, who is now out $1800.
How to protect yourself when buying concert and event tickets:
· Unless you know the seller personally, avoid sending money with person-to-person platforms like e-transfers.
· Try to avoid buying from unknown people on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.
· Take a breath. Scammers prey on a sense of urgency. Take the time to do due diligence. You may not end up getting the tickets, but you’ll still have your cash.
· As always, if it’s too good to be true, it likely is.
· Always try to exchange items and money in a public setting.
“If anyone is making an in-person transaction via Facebook Marketplace or other online services, the North Vancouver RCMP encourage them to make their exchanges at a safe zone outside the detachment located at 147 E 14th St., North Vancouver,” said Cst. Mansoor Sahak of the North Vancouver RCMP. “It’s a much safer place.”
