A Macomb County man has been ensnared in a ticket scam for a Detroit Lions playoff game, as reported to the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office. Using Venmo for payment, the victim made a purchase after responding to a Facebook post. The scam unraveled when the seller requested additional funds to transfer tickets into the victim’s name.
Unraveling the Scam: A Play In Two Acts
The victim, a Detroit Lions fan, agreed to pay for the tickets after engaging in a text message conversation with the seller. The first act of this unfortunate drama ended with the man transferring an undisclosed payment via Venmo. The second act began when the seller demanded additional funds to transfer the tickets into the buyer’s name. This unusual request raised the victim’s suspicions, leading him to decline further payments and report the incident to the Sheriff’s Office.
A Fruitless Search and A Stern Warning
Despite their efforts, investigators led by Sheriff Anthony Wickersham have been unable to contact the seller. As the investigation continues, the Sheriff’s Office has taken this incident as an opportunity to caution residents about the rise in scams, particularly on social media.
A Sordid Landscape: Scams Cost Americans $2.7 billion
Online scams are not a new phenomenon, but their prevalence and sophistication have grown exponentially. From January 2021 to June 2023, Americans lost a staggering $2.7 billion to scams originating on social media, according to a report by the Federal Trade Commission. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the landscape we navigate in the digital age. To combat this, the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office has issued recommendations to avoid falling victim to such scams. Among these are limiting social media post visibility, verifying urgent money requests with friends directly, being cautious with new online relationships, thoroughly researching companies before purchasing, and educating oneself on recognizing and avoiding scams.
