Indian-origin man arrested in $100,000 tickets scam in Canada

Canadian police have arrested and charged two individuals, including an Indian-origin man, in connection with the sale of fake concert and sporting event tickets across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), resulting in losses exceeding $100,000 for victims.

The investigation began in February following numerous fraud reports.

Jaspal Thiara, a 37-year-old resident of Toronto, and Jordan Cordeiro, a 29-year-old resident of Mississauga, were arrested.

The duo allegedly targeted multiple individuals through personal connections and social media.

People gave money to Thiara and Cordeiro for tickets and got fake emails and receipts instead, which looked real.

Authorities estimate that victims in these incidents are at a financial loss of over $100,000.

Jaspal Thiara was arrested on Wednesday (March 27) and charged with defrauding the public.

He was held for a bail hearing on the same day and appeared before the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton.

Cordeiro was taken into custody on March 19, 2024, and charged with fraud under $5,000.

He is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton on April 22, 2024.

Investigators suspect there could be more people who were tricked by this scam.

Canadian police shared several tips to prevent falling victim to ticket fraud, including purchasing from reputable sources, verifying ticket authenticity through official channels, and being cautious of too-good-to-be-true deals.

“We encourage members of the public to buy from official ticket sellers or trusted resale platforms,” a spokesperson of Peel Police emphasised.

“Double-check ticket details by verifying through the official website or calling the organiser directly. Ensure you are transacting on the correct payment platform. Beware of pop-up ads,” he added.