Windsor woman scammed out of $800 after attempting to buy Taylor Swift concert tickets
As thousands of Taylor Swift fans prepare to see one of the world's top artists perform in Detroit, a Windsor woman searching for concert tickets said she learned a hard lesson about how easy it is for people to fall victim to online scams.
Jodi Nesbitt and her eight-year-old granddaughter, Lilly, are bonafide “Swifties” — a term used to describe the most dedicated of Taylor Swift fans.
However, Nesbitt is now trying to shake off the feeling of purchasing last-minute tickets from someone she thought was a friend on Facebook.
That’s because the person on the other end of the Facebook profile wasn’t her friend at all. Instead, it was a scammer who had taken over her friend’s account.
After noticing her friend’s profile posting messages to multiple social media groups, advertising they had four extra tickets to sell for Swift's Friday and Saturday concerts at Ford Field, Nesbitt sent them a direct message on Facebook.
Nesbitt asked if she could purchase two of the four tickets, as she only needed seats for herself and her granddaughter. They were $400 each.
"I wasn't really that concerned with it being a scam, because she was a friend," said Nesbitt. "She had asked how my family was and other typical things that somebody who you're catching up with on [Facebook] Messenger would ask."
After a brief conversation about the tickets, Nesbitt e-transferred $800 CAD to the "friend" on the other end of the Facebook profile. A different friend of Nesbitt who was also looking for Taylor Swift tickets attempted to send money to the same seller via e-transfer.
Instead, the friend's financial institution flagged the transaction as a scam and their e-transfer never went through. Nesbitt's e-transfer, however, had already gone through since the recipient’s account had activated auto-deposit.
That's when Nesbitt's suspicions began to arise.
"I went into my private message [with the seller] and I asked, 'What is your husband's name?' She started talking about a few other things but ignored my question twice," said Nesbitt.
Instead of receiving concert tickets, Nesbitt said the seller stepped away from the online conversation to "charge their phone" — but never returned.
Despite losing $800, Nesbitt said the most "disheartening" part of this ordeal was seeing the disappointment on her granddaughter's face when she had to tell her they would no longer be going to the Taylor Swift concert.
"I had just talked to her about online safety before all this. This, unfortunately, was a huge example to her of how you just don't know who you're talking to online. It was a very frightening and a traumatic experience for her," said Nesbitt. "Honestly, she wasn't as upset about missing Taylor Swift. She was more upset that there's people out there who would do this."
Nesbitt advises others not to make online purchases without verifying the seller's identity and suggests contacting them directly. She hopes speaking out will prevent others from falling victim to similar scams.
"We want to make sure that no other family goes through this and proceeds to do something to try and make their child happy, only to become a huge disappointment," she said. "Speak to the person and ask them questions that only they would know —and if you don't know enough about that person to ask them those questions, don't buy stuff online from them."
Fortunately, a Windsor radio station reached out to Nesbitt to give her two tickets to Swift's concert. While she is happy her granddaughter will get to see Taylor Swift live in concert, Nesbitt is still out hundreds of dollars.
"I had to file a police report and do an investigation with my financial institution. They have 15 days to either agree that I've been a victim of fraud or not," said Nesbitt.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.