Pickering man arrested after police seize fake concert tickets

PICKERING -- A Pickering man was arrested Wednesday for allegedly trying to sell fake tickets to an upcoming Toronto concert.

The suspect had posted ads on Kijiji, an internet site, offering to sell tickets to a Taylor Swift concert for $120 each, Durham police say. At least one person responded to his ad and met the man where they exchanged cash for the tickets.

The victim later found they were fake, and was unable to contact the suspect. But after finding a similar ad under a different name, she used a friend's name, contacted the suspected and arranged to meet him. The suspect was then arrested by investigators when he showed up with even more counterfeit tickets.

Ryan Izzard, 28, of Zator Avenue in Pickering is charged with defrauding the public and utter forged documents. He was held for a bail hearing.

Investigators are appealing to the public to ensure no one else has bought counterfeit tickets.

Anyone who purchased seats 3 to 6, Row 20, Section 118, for the concert set for Friday, May 21 at the Air Canada Centre, should call Detective Constable Jim Doucette of the Durham Major Fraud Unit at 1-888-579-1520, ext. 5364. Anonymous tips can be made to Crime Stoppers and tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.