Watch out for counterfeit Michigan football tickets
Some counterfeit University of Michigan football tickets are turning up. This phenomenon is not local - it's a national problem. Bogus tickets for all the major college football games are turning up around the venues hosting the “big games.” It's big business for enterprising ticket counterfeiters. Â
These tickets have the look and feel of a real ticket, but they don't have the hologram that is imprinted on genuine tickets. The counterfeit tickets won't scan at the entrances. The counterfeits also will be one small block of tickets reproduced many times.
Police investigating these cases say the tickets are being sold days in advance or at locations far from the Big House. The reason for the distant sales is criminally intelligent. If the fake tickets are sold too close to the gates, the disgruntled customer could relocate the crooked scalper after the victim of this fraud is turned away at the gate.
The mastermind counterfeiters behind this scam are probably also employing stooge scalpers who just want to make fast money. The scalpers themselves may be unwitting accomplices, but it's doubtful. Crooks can usually spot deals that are “too good to be true” better than average citizens who are trying to save money.
All of the next Michigan home games have the potential for these out-of-town counterfeiters. Penn State, Purdue and Ohio State are all possible games these counterfeiters might use to sell their bogus tickets. The most likely target however would be the Ohio State game, which always draws a huge national audience.
Buyers beware of these tickets. Make sure you examine the ticket you are about to buy to make sure the holographic image appears on the ticket. Ticket sellers nearest the stadium will probably be “safest.”
Beware of multiple tickets at a price that is too good to be true -Â they are probably bogus. Do not make ticket transactions from your car. It is illegal, ties up traffic and it is easy to become a victim because you are being rushed.
If you discover you've been a victim, contact police as soon as possible. Do not try to cut your losses by selling the fake tickets to someone else. You could be selling to an undercover officer and face charges of larceny by false pretenses. Â
While enjoying the remaining games: Lock it up, don’t leave it unattended, be aware (of the scam artists selling counterfeit tickets) and watch out for your neighbors.
Rich Kinsey is a retired Ann Arbor police detective sergeant who now blogs on crime and safety for AnnArbor.com.
Comments
impeach-09
Tue, Oct 13, 2009 : 5:02 p.m.
DJM-that is the best idea Ive ever heard.Someone hire that person.But your right,to e-z....
treetowncartel
Tue, Oct 13, 2009 : 2:27 p.m.
Larceny by false pretenses is specific intent crime, requiring the prosecutor to prove to the jury the appropriate Mens Rea in order to be convicted. In sum, if you are approached by a law enforcemnt officer for scalping tickets lawyer up.
Useless
Tue, Oct 13, 2009 : 11:14 a.m.
How are you supposed to "examine the ticket you are about to buy" when they are being sold "at locations far from the Big House" ie - the internet... just curious?
salineperson
Tue, Oct 13, 2009 : 9:38 a.m.
The article says "Make sure you examine the ticket you are about to buy to make sure the holographic image appears on the ticket.: However, it does not say what to look for or where to look for it. Does anyone know what exactly a buyer should be looking for on the ticket?
Rich Kinsey
Tue, Oct 13, 2009 : 9:25 a.m.
My understanding of the law is that it was adopted when the "begging" ordinance was changed. It was put in place to discourage "windowwashing" at intersections by panhandlers. This is quite a problem in other cities. It creates a trafic hazard and it is a very agressive form of panhandling. The implied threat is that the "washer" could damage your car if you don't pay them and you would not be able to catch them. I used it when I worked the undercover ticket scalping patrol. It is easier to prove in court than scalping. It is a misdemeanor (scalping is a civil infraction)with a heavier fine and most importantly it keeps traffic moving on already overburdened streets on football Saturday. Soliciting in traffic, close to the stadium really causes a problem for the officers trying to keep vehicles and pedestrians moving safely. The ordinance can be found in Chapter 108 Section 9:70.4 and 5, of the City Code.
djm12652
Tue, Oct 13, 2009 : 9:09 a.m.
Seriously, if this is such a big issue, how about the university setting up and ticket swap booth for the hawkers and buyers. If someone has a legit ticket, they can turn it in for face value less $5 or so, and a buyer can go to the same booth and by a legit ticket for face value...thus eliminating the criminal and the crime...and the poor underfunded football program can scam I mean earn another $5 on the tickets...but....that is just too simple a solution to get all the ticket hawkers off the sidewalk. It's more important to educate the really really stupid people that buy the tickets.