Blue Jays fans should be cautious when purchasing resale tickets to World Series games in Toronto, police have warned.
Fraudsters may attempt to sell fake tickets on social media, classified websites or phony ticketing platforms in an attempt to capitalize on fan excitement and demand, police said.
These fake tickets are counterfeit, duplicated or simply non-existent. Once a victim has made a payment to the scammer, police said the seller will often disappear, “leaving fans without tickets and out of money.”
Fake tickets are commonly sold on phony websites pretending to be legitimate resale platforms or team partners, or in social media posts advertising below-market prices. Scammers may also attempt to reach fans through text or email conversations.
The sellers will often request payment via e-transfer, cryptocurrency or gift cards, so that the funds are difficult to trace.
Police said Jays fans looking to buy resale World Series tickets should be wary of the following red flags:
- Prices that seem too good to be true
- Pressure from sellers who demand quick action or claim to have "only a few tickets left"
- Unverified links shared on social media or through email
- Requests for payment outside secure platforms, for example e-transfer, PayPal or WhatsApp
Fans should only buy World Series tickets through official websites or authorized ticket partners, such as MLB.com or Ticketmaster. Police encourage buyers to always check the URL of the website where they are making a purchase to ensure it begins with https:// and matches the official domain.
Police also encourage fans to make a purchase using a credit card, as more protection is available and a fraud claim can be filed if necessary.
You should never share images of your tickets online, as it makes it possible for scammers to resell them.
Anyone who has been a victim in a ticket scam is advised to contact police.
The Toronto Police Service’s Financial Crimes Unit has asked anyone with information about phony ticket sales to contact police at 416-808-2222, or file an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers online at 416-222-TIPS (8477).