Toronto police have arrested a Burlington woman accused of scamming dozens of Taylor Swift fans out of nearly $70,000 by selling fraudulent concert tickets. Using the alias “Denise Blackhawk” on Facebook Marketplace, the suspect allegedly convinced fans to e-transfer payments with the promise of tickets that would arrive closer to concert dates. However, the tickets never materialized, leaving fans without their money or access to Swift’s highly anticipated shows.
According to police, at least 28 victims sent the woman money for tickets, with some of these transactions occurring as early as 2023 when tickets initially went on sale. When fans requested refunds, the accused reportedly claimed the money was already gone, further exacerbating the financial loss and frustration among her victims.
The suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed, now faces 32 counts of fraud under $5,000, one count of fraud over $5,000, and corresponding charges related to possession of crime-related property. She is scheduled to appear in court on January 10. Toronto police are working with Halton police on the investigation and believe more victims may still be out there.
The scam has left hundreds of fans devastated, with one victim, Melinda Tarantino, losing over $3,000 on tickets for herself and her daughters. Tarantino has compiled the stories of nearly 160 individuals affected by the scam and has provided this information to Halton police. Authorities urge anyone in Toronto who suspects they may have purchased a fraudulent ticket to contact police or submit an anonymous tip via Crime Stoppers.
Source: Swifteradio.com
