Getting tickets to a Taylor Swift concert is proving to be a pricy affair for some die-hard fans in Toronto. According to the latest reports, a ticketing scam has cost hundreds of Swifties dearly.
Several fans from the Burlington, Ontario area, were devastated to learn that they were collectively duped of $300,000 by a scammer posing as a ticket reseller. Annette Newton, one of the victims, shared her experience with CTV News, revealing how the scammer, who went by the name Denise on Facebook, gained the community’s trust and walked away with the money and didn’t provide anyone with tickets to the ‘Eras Tour’ in Toronto.
“I contacted her directly, and she offered me tickets,” Newton said, explaining that several mutual acquaintances vouched for the woman’s credibility. She claimed to have access to ‘corporate tickets’ through a third-party reseller. The mother of four reportedly purchased four tickets for approximately $2,500 as a Christmas gift for her daughters, and was assured that the tickets would arrive just days before Swift’s November 15 show.
However, when the day arrived, the scammer told Newton that the tickets were ‘unavailable’. “She said her corporate guy didn’t come through and that there was nothing she could do,” the woman told the portal.
It wasn’t long before several others from the area came forward to share similar experiences, saying that they too had also paid for tickets that they never received. Collectively, they created a shared online document to track the number of victims and the amounts lost. By Friday, the list included over 200 individuals, with more than 450 promised tickets and losses exceeding $300,000.
“The scope of it is absolutely massive,” and Alaina Attard, another victim said to the news portal.
Halton Regional Police have since confirmed that they are investigating the ticket scam after receiving “multiple complaints” regarding the same. Jeff Dillon, a spokesperson for the Halton Regional Police Financial Crimes Unit, warned the public about the scam and asked them to “be vigilant when purchasing tickets.”
Many victims, including parents reportedly fell for the scam while hoping to gift their children an early Christmas gift to watch the concert live.
Authorities have since urged residents to report any suspicious ticket offers and to verify sellers through official channels to avoid falling victim to similar scams.