CBS2 Confronts Man Who Allegedly Sold Fake WWE SummerSlam 2015 Tickets
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Imagine shelling out hundreds of dollars for tickets to a hot event -- only to find out they're fakes.
CBS2's Christine Sloan set out to confront a man who allegedly sold Matthew Dickson four fake tickets to WWE's SummerSlam 2015 at the Barclays Center in August, via Craigslist.
"These tickets are not real. They're fake," Sloan yelled at the man, who was trying to run from her.
"Get out of my face," was his response.
Dickson, an EMT who also works two other part-time jobs to support his four children said he shelled out $700 for four tickets.
When he found out his boys' idol was coming to Brooklyn, he did everything he could to make their dreams come true.
"The Undertaker was going to be performing and he makes rare appearances," Dickson said. "They were looking forward to it since he's their favorite wrestler."
But now their dreams are dashed -- and Dickson is out $700.
"It turned out they were fake," Dickson said.
The box office confirmed that the tickets he bought were all fake.
So CBS2 set up a meeting at Grand Central Station with the alleged scammer who identified himself as Damion Thompson.
CBS2 photographer Sean McKenna joined Sloan, along with a cellphone camera, and another camera that captured the encounter from a balcony.
"How do I know they're real?" Sloan asked as she bought the tickets.
"I am showing you the card I purchased them on," the man said.
But Sloan immediately noticed that the tickets were identical to Dickson's -- with the same seat and row numbers.
After Sloan revealed her identity, the man took off -- leaving behind the phony tickets and receipt.
Sloan and the cameras followed the man, demanding answers about the tickets.
Man: "Get out of my face."
Sloan: "They said they're fake. They have the same serial number. Ticketmaster has no confirmation of the order number, Damion."
Man: "Get out of my face."
Sloan: "These tickets are not real. They're fake. They have the same serial numbers as the tickets I hold in my hand."
Dickson said he came forward about the phony tickets for a reason.
"It's infuriating that somebody could do that to somebody, and to have to deal with the disappointment in my children's eyes when I have to tell them," Dickson said. "I just don't want anyone else to ever be in that position."
Now that the ticket seller has been caught on camera, CBS2 has asked the NYPD to investigate.
The NYPD actively pursues ticket scam cases. In a joint statement, Barclays and the WWE said the surest and safest way to purchase tickets is through Ticketmaster or the Barclays Center box office.
Craigslist did not respond to CBS2 requests for comment. Part of their disclaimer warns people to use their website at their own risk.
Authorities say they are unsure whether these sellers are printing these fake tickets in their basement or getting them from a centralized location.
