Brazen scammers have taken advantage of over 600 unsuspecting fans of R&B singer Trey Songz and Caribbean pop star Julien Believe. The crooks used social media to promote a nonexistent concert by the two at New York City's Resorts World Casino, charging up to $100 in cash for the phony event.
Over the course of several weeks, the scammers used posts on various social media platforms to advertise a concert appearance by the two singers. The posts were accompanied by a professional, official looking flyer which directed interested fans to contact a phone number listed on it. When people called the number, which is in fact a California-based land line, they were then directed to a house in Flatbush Avenue Brooklyn, where they were charged, in cash only, anywhere from $45 dollars for a regular ticket up to $100 for a VIP seat.
The event was advertised to take place on July 30, 2016. In fact, there is another event scheduled at the Queens, New York Casino venue at the exact same date and time, a throwback freestyle music concert headlined by 80s dance music stars Lisa Lisa and the Cult Jam, along with various other artists from the once popular New York City-based genre.
In contrast, Trey Songz is a Grammy nominated R&B singer, producer, and actor, while Believe specializes in Caribbean pop. While Songz has yet to comment, Believe said, "It's unfortunate what some people use their precious time to do. It's just wrong to take advantage of people like this. I hope they find the persons responsible and that situations like this never occur again!"
Resorts World apparently became aware of the scam when potential attendees inquired about it, and notified New York City Police. The venue also published the following notice on its website:
"FRAUD ALERT: WE HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF A FALSE PROMOTION OF A JULY 30TH CONCERT BY "TREY SONGZ AND JULIEN BELIEVE." NEITHER RESORTS WORLD NOR TREY SONGZ HAS AUTHORIZED THIS EVENT. THE POLICE HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS FRAUD. PLEASE CONTACT THE POLICE IF YOU ARE A VICTIM."
New York City Police said that over 800 people had responded to the fake social media posting, approximately 600 of which actually bought tickets to the bogus event. New York City music fans have also been warned recently that a slew of fake summer concert tickets are being peddled, which are very realistic looking due to authentic looking Ticketmaster logos and barcodes.
