WATCH ABOVE: Police are warning Edmontonians about an online scam targeting people desperate to see a show. Fletcher Kent reports.
EDMONTON — Edmonton police have laid 109 fraud-related charges against an Edmonton man in connection to an alleged online ticket sale scam on a popular classifieds website.
Police said an investigation started in November 2014 into fraudulent ticket sales on Kijiji Canada after receiving several calls about people who alleged they were contacted by a ticket seller after they posted online their interest in buying tickets for the Canadian Finals Rodeo.
The ticket seller would then allegedly ask the buyer for an electronic money transfer. After receiving the payment, the seller didn’t provide the tickets.
The investigation led to arrest of 30-year-old Elias Batraki in December.
“When we interviewed him for the crime we determined this was not an isolated incident with the CFR,” said Acting Det. Mike Walkom, EPS.
Police believe Batraki was involved in more than 80 fraudulent online tranactions from January to November 2014, with the help of a female accomplice. They targeted+ people across Canada who were trying to purchase concert and sporting event tickets.
“We’ve identified 88 complainants and more than $12,000 lost to fraud in the investigation, but this is likely a small snapshot of the problem,” said Walkom.
Batraki is now facing 109 fraud and impersonation-related charges. Charges haven’t been laid against the accomplice.
Kijiji Canada worked with police during the investigation, which was part of the Edmonton police initiative Online Fencing Project that focuses on stolen property and online sale scams. Fifty people have been charged with about 450 offences since the pilot project launched in late 2013.
Police have several tips to avoid being the victim of an online ticket sale scam:
- Ask for a bill of sale and identification from the seller. Ensure the identification provided matches the seller.
- Be wary of e-tickets that can be easily reproduced and distributed. Meet at a location where tickets can be verified.
- Conduct all transactions in person, in a public location with video surveillance when possible.
- Check the Canadian Police Information Centre database to see if an item has been reported stolen.
- Ask questions of the seller if an item is priced noticeably below market value.
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