The Toronto Police Service (TPS) has arrested a Burlington woman for allegedly scamming Taylor Swift fans out of nearly $70,000 as part of a scheme to sell fake Toronto Eras Tour tickets.
The woman, identified as Denise Tisor, allegedly sold fraudulent tickets on Facebook Marketplace to 28 victims under the alias “Denise Blackhawk.”
The fake tickets were advertised as being legitimate passes to various dates and seat locations for Swift’s six Toronto concerts.
When Tisor and a victim would agree upon a price for the faux tickets, she would instruct the victim to send an e-transfer, police claimed. She allegedly told hopeful purchasers their tickets would be transferred in the days leading up to Swift’s concerts this month.
No legitimate tickets for Swift’s Eras Tour would ever arrive. When victims requested a refund, police said Tisor told them the money was already gone.
Tisor was allegedly selling fraudulent Swift tickets as early as August 2023, when the Toronto Eras Tour concerts were first announced.
Tisor has been charged with fraud over $5,000, possession of property obtained by a crime over $5,000, as well as 32 counts of fraud under $5,000 and 32 counts of property obtained by a crime under $5,000.
Halton Regional Police Service first launched an investigation earlier this month after officers received approximately 40 complaints of fraudulent or nonexistent tickets involving the same vendor.
Tisor is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice on Jan. 10, 2025.
The investigation is ongoing.
Police believe there may be other victims. TPS has asked anyone who may have purchased a fraudulent ticket to file an online police report. Potential victims can also contact police at 416-808-3200 or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.
