Queenstown police are investigating fake ticket sales for this Saturday’s Gibbston Summer Concert.
Sergeant Simon Matheson, of Queenstown, said there had been three reports to date of fraudulent sales through Facebook.
‘‘People are obviously listing tickets for sale, the transfers are made and then people block the buyer, [keep] the money and the tickets don't eventuate.’’
Sgt Matheson said police had received complaints from local residents who had been duped and it was possible people from further afield had also been victims.
He advised anyone purchasing goods ‘‘from some sort of platform’’ to be wary and make every effort to confirm the identity of the seller, that they were a valid seller, and actually had possession of the lawful ticket.
‘‘I would suggest a face-to-face meeting for the transfer of the money for the tickets is probably the safest option, but I understand in the modern world, sometimes when people are in different towns, that's not an easy fix.’’
He said it was possible the offenders had uplifted a lost driver’s licence, passport or wallet and used that to set up fake Facebook accounts .
‘‘The person whose identity is being used is also unaware that their identity is being used.’’
Sgt Matheson said police wanted to hear from anyone else who had been defrauded.
‘‘It's becoming increasingly common [this whole issue].’’
Artists for Saturday's concert include Billy Idol, Anastacia, Creedence Clearwater Revisited and George Thorogood and The Destroyers.
