Peel Regional Police are reminding concertgoers and sports fans to be vigilant when seeking out tickets — especially during the Taylor Swift craze sweeping the Greater Toronto Area and beyond this week and next.
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This public appeal comes as part of an investigation into what police described as an advance fee scam involving the fraudulent sale of music and sporting event tickets in the GTA.
In a news release issued Friday, police said a comprehensive probe from February through to October was sparked after receiving multiple reports alleging that a suspect fraudulently sold concert and sporting event tickets to an unsuspecting victim, disguising them as being from legitimate and reputable ticket sale companies.
Investigators believe the victims in these incidents are at a financial loss of more than $38,000.
On Wednesday, an arrest warrant was issued for Jaspal Singh Thiara, 37, of Toronto. He is wanted for fraud over $5,000, and fail to comply.
Thiara was already on a judicial release for similar charges.
“Given the heightened concert awareness in the GTA this week, it is believed he may still be actively seeking additional unsuspecting victims,” police said in the news release.
Investigators believe there might be additional victims.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 905-453–2121 ext. 3335, or contact Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or at peelcrimestoppers.ca.
OSHAWA MAN ACCUSED OF 2018 SEX ASSAULT
A 32-year-old Oshawa man has been charged following an alleged attack against a woman six years ago.
Durham Regional Police said officers responded to a sexual assault call in 2018 where a woman was leaving a bar in downtown Whitby in the early morning hours and was looking for a hire-for-service ride to go home when a man approached her in his vehicle and offered a ride.
Cops alleged the man drove the woman to an empty parking lot where he sexually assaulted her before dropping her off near a convenience store in the Courtice area.
At some point this year, police allegedly received evidence leading them to investigate a suspect living in Oshawa.
Sopan Pusparajah was charged with sexual assault on Thursday.
Police have released a photo and believe there may be additional victims.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 1-888-579-1520, ext. 5312, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).