A Staggering Case of Deception

In a staggering case of deception, a 28-year-old woman from Burlington, Ontario, has been charged with scamming Taylor Swift fans out of nearly $70,000 by selling counterfeit concert tickets. The suspect, identified as Denise Tisor, allegedly advertised the fake tickets on Facebook Marketplace, presenting buyers with concert dates and seat locations for the highly sought-after performances at the Rogers Centre earlier this month.

Details of the Scam

As the investigation unfolds, police revealed that Tisor initiated her scams as far back as August 2023, shortly after the original ticket sales commenced. Victims who agreed to purchase tickets sent her full payment upfront, believing they were securing spots at the sold-out shows. However, when the concert dates arrived, the fans were left empty-handed, unable to access the promised tickets that never existed.

Calculated Con and Victim Claims

In what seems to be a calculated con, Tisor reportedly informed her victims that the tickets would only be available shortly before the concerts, further adding to the uncertainty when fans couldn’t retrieve their tickets. The situation turned dire for the victims when they requested refunds, only to be told by Tisor that their money was “gone.”

Denial and Allegations

Interestingly, during an interview with CTV News Toronto just a week before her arrest, Tisor claimed to be a victim herself, suggesting she had also filed a police report regarding the alleged scam. However, numerous affected fans, some of whom were in touch with Tisor under the alias “Denise Blackhawk,” argue that they felt assured by their prior transactions with her, leading to a combined loss of nearly $300,000 for over 400 tickets.

Collaboration Between Police Forces

As the ripple effects of this scam widen, Toronto police are collaborating with Halton police, who have reported similar instances of ticket fraud related to the Taylor Swift concerts. However, as of now, there’s no confirmation whether Tisor is considered a suspect in their ongoing investigation.

Arrest and Legal Charges

On November 25, 2023, authorities arrested Tisor, charging her with various offenses including fraud over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, along with 32 counts of fraud and possession of property pertaining to amounts under $5,000.

Call for Additional Victims to Come Forward

Police believe there are additional victims yet to come forward and are urging anyone who has purchased fake tickets to file an online police report. Tisor is set to make her court appearance in Toronto on January 10, 2024.

Stay Vigilant!

This case serves as a stark reminder for concertgoers to remain vigilant when purchasing tickets from online platforms. With high-demand events, the temptation for scams increases. Fans are reminded to use authorized sellers and verify the authenticity of tickets before engaging in transactions. Stay safe out there!