Beware of Taylor Swift ticket resale scam, Vancouver Island Mounties warn
Police on Vancouver Island are warning Taylor Swift fans not to fall for scams advertising resale tickets to her sold-out Vancouver shows on Facebook.
In a statement Friday, West Shore RCMP said it has received "at least four complaints" about a fraud taking place on several Facebook community groups and Facebook Marketplace.
"The complainants advised police that they contacted the seller who claimed to have Taylor Swift concert tickets for sale, and subsequently sent money to the seller, but did not receive the tickets," the statement reads.
Mounties said they believe the Facebook account advertising the tickets had been hacked.
"Unfortunately, this fraud has multiple victims who have lost money, along with the real Facebook user whose account was hacked and their identity assumed and used to defraud people," said Cpl. Nancy Saggar in the statement.
The police description of the scam bears a striking resemblance to the experience Sunshine Coast resident Audra O'Loughlin shared with CTV News late last year.
O'Loughlin and her daughter paid a scammer a total of $1,600 for four tickets, thinking they had done due diligence and found a great deal.
The supposed seller was an acquaintance of one of O'Loughlin's co-workers, who had vouched for their contact's integrity, not realizing that the seller's account had been either hacked or impersonated.
North Vancouver RCMP also warned about Taylor Swift ticket resale scams last year, saying two Facebook Marketplace users in that city had lost upwards of $1,000 each under similar circumstances.
Swift is scheduled to play three shows at Vancouver's BC Place on Dec. 6, 7 and 8. Along with six dates in Toronto in November, the shows are Swift's only stops in Canada on her blockbuster Eras Tour.
Canadian cities were initially left off the tour schedule entirely, prompting an outcry from fans and social media pleas from politicians including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and B.C. Premier David Eby asking Swift to reconsider.
The West Shore RCMP investigation is ongoing, and police are asking other potential victims to contact them at 250-474-2264.
Mounties also recommend against purchasing concert tickets privately listed online, saying people should only purchase such items from "verified organizations."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
EXCLUSIVE Canadian company at the centre of alleged international pyramid scheme: authorities
Foreign governments say hundreds of thousands of people in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka lost savings to a company headquartered in Canada. This investigation from the IJF and CTV News shines a new light on how Canadian shell companies and registries were used to pull off the scheme.
Pennsylvania state police commissioner reveals stunning details about Trump shooting
A local law enforcement commissioner revealed during a House Homeland Security hearing on Tuesday stunning new details about the security failures that led to the near assassination of Donald Trump, raising more questions for the embattled U.S. Secret Service.
BREAKING Host city revealed for 2034 Winter Olympic Games
Salt Lake City was awarded the 2034 Winter Olympic Games on Wednesday following a vote of the International Olympic Committee.
Plane crashes just after takeoff from Nepal's capital, killing 18 people. Pilot is lone survivor
A plane crashed Wednesday just after taking off from Nepal’s capital, killing 18 people and injuring a pilot who was the lone survivor.
Laws that could get Canadians in trouble in tourism hotspots
There are some laws in popular tourist destinations around the world that could land Canadian travellers in mild-to-serious trouble if they're not careful. Don't let these local laws land you in hot water during your next vacation abroad.
Why Toronto is a special place for 'Deadpool & Wolverine' star Hugh Jackman
Toronto has a special place in Hugh Jackman's heart. During an exclusive interview with Etalk in front of dozens of fans gathered in the parking lot of 299 Queen Street West on Tuesday, the Australian actor shared that the city was where his Wolverine journey began.
Clip resurfaces of Vance criticizing Harris for being 'childless,' testing Trump's new running mate
Comments Donald Trump’s running mate JD Vance made in 2021 questioning U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris’ leadership because she did not have biological children have resurfaced, testing the young conservative senator in his early days campaigning as part of the Republicans' presidential ticket.
DEVELOPING Bank of Canada expected to deliver second consecutive rate cut today
The Bank of Canada is set to announce its interest rate decision this morning as economists widely expect a rate cut.