A Nickelback fan seeks tickets on Facebook and ends up being scammed out of $300.
A woman from Conception Bay South wanted to see Nickelback but now is trying to get her $300 back. Emma Walsh lost the money to a Facebook scammer while attempting to purchase tickets for the band’s sold-out show at Churchill Park Music Festival for herself and her boyfriend.
“I was really upset about it,” Walsh told CBC News. “That’s more than half of my paycheck. I’m only a part-time worker.”
Walsh joined a Facebook group called Churchill Park Music Festival 2024 Tickets in her search for tickets. The group, which had over 2,000 members and included mutual friends, seemed legitimate to her. She posted her request for tickets and was contacted by a group admin who appeared trustworthy, with a complete profile and detailed bio.
The scammer asked for $240 for the tickets plus an additional $60 for a “ticket transfer fee,” bringing the total to $300. Walsh sent the money, but the tickets never arrived. She attempted to contact the scammer but received no response and was banned from the group shortly after. The group’s listed admins have not responded to requests for comment.
Walsh’s bank won’t refund the e-transfer, and the police have only taken note of her case, citing a high volume of similar reports.
The Churchill Park Music Festival has since warned about ticket resale scams on their Instagram and Facebook pages, advising fans to buy only through verified resale options or trusted sources. They are not responsible for unverified ticket sales.
Walsh regrets not seeing the warning earlier, as tickets sold out quickly and she was waitlisted. She advises others to buy resale tickets in person or from a trusted individual and to avoid purchasing from Facebook group chats.
