RCMP in BC warning Swifties to beware of ticket scammers

A Lower Mainland RCMP detachment is warning Swifties to beware of scam artists trying to take they money for concert tickets.

The victims had responded to ads for Taylor Swift tickets on Facebook Marketplace, according to a North Vancouver RCMP media release issued today, Dec. 21.

In each case as soon as e-transfer payments were made the fraudsters would block the victims or stop all communications leaving victims with no tickets. Similar instances of these scams have been reported across Canada.

The first victim is out $1,020 after they sent the agreed-upon price for the tickets. The seller sent an email with a wallet attachment but no instructions for a Ticketmaster transfer. The victim contacted the seller to get the information but the suspect never responded.

Similarly, the second victim responded to a Facebook Marketplace ad for four tickets. After agreeing upon the price of $1,400, the victim sent the seller the money who then requested an extra $400. Upon receiving a total of $1,800, the seller sent the tickets to the victim without providing the passcode to redeem the ticket. The victim attempted to contact the seller who completely stopped responding to the victim.

In both cases, the victims lost all their money and never received the tickets.

RCMP are advising people to not send money with person-to-person platforms such as e-transfers unless they know the person, to avoid buying from unknown sellers on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist, and to take time to do due diligence as sellers often prey on a sense of urgency.

They’re also reminding people that if something seems to be too good to be true, it probably is and that a sale involving money and one or multiple items should be done in person in a public setting.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Gabrielle Adams or call (438) 830-1211or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter here.