Many people who want to attend Festival d’été de Québec turn to resale websites in hopes of finding tickets to the shows, but many fall victim to scams.
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This is particularly true for Raphaëlle Morel, 21, who made a post on one of the many Facebook groups about renting FEQ passes to be able to take part in the Pitbull show.
A man with the fictional name Alex wrote to him and offered to loan him two $100 tickets.
However, a $200 security deposit was required to ensure rental return.
To reassure her, the scammer even presented her with a fake health insurance card.
The young woman reluctantly agreed to send him the money.
“He sent me his confirmation that he bought the festival passes, his health insurance card, he reassured me,” says the festival-goer. I wired him $200.
“Yesterday I received a message in the group that this person is a scammer. He changed his name and blocked me. So there is nothing left to do.”
This situation means a lot of sadness and anger for them.
“I cried with anger. “I’m a college student, $300 is two and a half weeks’ worth of groceries,” the young woman adds.
The scammer would have claimed several more victims.
Quebec Police say they are investigating both this situation and this phenomenon.
Watch the full explanation in the video above.