Winnipeg Jets fan scammed in shady Kijiji playoff ticket deal

A Jets fan said she was scammed over the weekend while trying to buy tickets to the first round of Stanley Cup playoffs in Winnipeg.

Keri Lynn Mayo tried to secure a few playoff tickets online after the Jets doused the Flames Saturday.

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Mayo posted a listing to Kijiji stating that she was in the market for tickets.

"I posted an ad on Kijiji wanting Jets tickets and somebody replied and said they had tickets," she said.

The seller told Mayo they had five seats in section 118, row seven, on offer.

After mulling it over, and sending a number of emails back and forth, Mayo felt the deal was legitimate and sent the seller a money transfer.

At $185 a pop, Mayo shelled out $925 for the five-seat package.

Mayo said that at first, the seller was really responsive, messaging her back within 10 minutes of every reply. But not long after the transfer, communications dwindled and Mayo realized she had been scammed.

"We've been buying tickets on Kijiji in the past and it has always worked out," said Mayo. "It's pretty upsetting. A thousand dollars. Could have bought something else and now no tickets."

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There have been a number of posts on Kijiji lately warning prospective ticket buyers of scammers.

"I talked to Kijiji and they said to go to the police, which I did and I filed a report," said Mayo.

Official Jets playoff tickets haven't actually gone on sale yet.

"For the most part if you're dealing with someone who's selling an individual ticket for these next two games, those are fraudulent tickets because our individual ones have not gone on sale," said Scott Brown, director of corporate communications with True North Sports and Entertainment.

"The only tickets that are out there are season holders and we haven't even activated their ability to transfer their tickets just yet."

Winnipeg police said unless tickets are purchased through the Winnipeg Jets seat exchange program, fans are putting themselves at risk of being scammed.

"There is no way to confirm a ticket is fraudulent until it is scanned at the venue," a police spokesperson said.

Mayo hopes police will be able to get her money back. Until that happens, she's resigned herself to taking in the playoffs from her couch at home.