Toronto police have arrested a GTA woman who they allege scammed dozens of Taylor Swift fans out of nearly $70,000 by promising them tickets that never materialized.
The woman used the alias “Denise Blackhawk” while selling the tickets on Facebook Marketplace, police said in a news release Tuesday.
Her victims would e-transfer her an agreed amount for the tickets — police noted some of these deals were done when tickets first went on sale in 2023 — and were assured they’d be sent closer to the concert date. The tickets never materialized, police said.
“When victims requested their money back, the accused alleged that the money was gone,” police said.
Twenty-eight victims sent the woman money, police said.
Taylor Swift fans claim they were scammed by a ticket broker in Burlington, Ont., who allegedly sold the same seats for the same Toronto shows multiple times. Hundreds of fans may have been taken in by the scam.
The accused, who is from Burlington, has been charged with 32 counts of fraud under $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.
She also faces one count each of fraud over $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
The woman is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 10.
Toronto police, who are also working with Halton police on the case, said they believe there are still more victims out there.
CBC News spoke to several fans last week who said they had been scammed by the accused.
One woman, Melinda Tarantino, collected victims’ experiences in an online form after she lost over $3,000 buying tickets for herself and her two daughters.
Tarantino told CBC Hamilton she heard from nearly 160 people who collectively bought about 420 tickets from the accused. She said she’s provided the list to Halton police.
Anyone from Toronto who may have purchased a fraudulent ticket is asked to contact police or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers.