Swifties Beware! Scammer Who Stole $140K in Fake Eras Tour Tickets Caught Again
Canadian Woman Arrested Again for Scamming Taylor Swift Fans Out of $140,000 in Fake Ticket Scheme
Taylor Swift Ticket Scam: Canadian Woman Arrested Again for Fraud
A Canadian woman has been arrested again for allegedly scamming Taylor Swift fans out of $140,000 by selling fake tickets to the highly anticipated Eras Tour in Toronto.
Who is the Alleged Scammer?
Denise Cynthia Tisor, previously arrested in November 2023, was taken into custody once more on March 20, 2024, following an investigation by the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS). Authorities claim that Tisor used online platforms to lure eager Swifties into paying for non-existent concert tickets.
Her boyfriend, David Lloyd Blake, has also been implicated in the scheme and faces charges related to possession of property obtained by crime and money laundering.
How Did the Scam Work?
Tisor allegedly advertised Taylor Swift concert tickets on Facebook Marketplace under the alias Denise Blackhawk. Fans, desperate to secure seats for the Toronto concerts in November, made full electronic payments for the tickets.
However, after receiving payments, Tisor reportedly told buyers that they would receive their tickets closer to the event date. As the concert approached, buyers realized that the tickets never existed.
When victims demanded refunds, Tisor allegedly claimed that the money had been sent to a third party named Mark Harlow, who had since disappeared. Police received 75 complaints and confirmed 55 fraud incidents linked to Tisor.
Police Investigation and Arrest
On March 20, authorities executed a search warrant at a home in Burlington, Ontario—approximately 35 miles west of Toronto. Investigators seized four laptops, a tablet, four cell phones, and printed documents connected to the scam. Tisor and Blake were arrested but later released, pending court appearances.
This is not Tisor's first encounter with the law. She was initially arrested in November 2023 and charged with:
- Fraud over $5,000
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
- 32 counts of fraud under $5,000
- 32 counts of possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000
At that time, 28 victims were identified, losing a total of $70,000 to the fraudulent scheme.
Additional Charges and Victims Speak Out
In January 2024, additional charges were brought against Tisor, including:
- Eight counts of fraud under $5,000
- Eight counts of possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000
Blake was also arrested and charged with 19 counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
On March 13, 2024, Tisor appeared virtually in court for an additional fraud charge related to a different case.
One of the victims, Lianne Batista, a Burlington resident, shared her disappointment after paying nearly $2,000 for Taylor Swift tickets for her and her daughter, Teagan. Unfortunately, like many others, she later discovered that the tickets were fake.
Lessons Learned: How to Avoid Ticket Scams
To protect yourself from similar scams, consider the following tips:
- Buy only from verified sources, such as official ticket vendors (Ticketmaster, StubHub, SeatGeek, etc.)
- Avoid deals that seem too good to be true—scammers often use lower prices to lure victims
- Verify the seller—check reviews and social media accounts before making payments
- Use secure payment methods—avoid wire transfers or e-transfers to individuals
- Ask for proof of purchase—request a screenshot of the ticket with a matching order confirmation
The Ongoing Investigation
The case remains under investigation, and authorities encourage additional victims to come forward. As Taylor Swift's Eras Tour continues, fans are urged to remain vigilant and cautious when purchasing resale tickets online.
