Scammers Sold Fake Tickets To Broadway Shows, Concerts: DA

NEW YORK, NY — That's not the ticket. A group of scammers made thousands of dollars from selling fake tickets to Broadway shows, concerts and sports games, Manhattan prosecutors said Friday.

Five people were indicted on charges stemming from a months-long scheme that duped unsuspecting showgoers into buying sham tickets to events including the acclaimed musical "Dear Evan Hansen," prosecutors said.

"Hit shows draw the interest of locals and tourists alike who are seeking to experience something special during a night on the town," Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. said in a statement. "Unfortunately, popular events also attract swindlers, and ticket scams, in particular, are all about making a quick buck at the expense of unsuspecting victims."

Isaac Chestnut and Rahiem Watts of the Bronx allegedly forged tickets that were advertised online to events including New York Rangers hockey games and concerts by Bruno Mars and Paul McCartney, prosecutors said.

According to prosecutors, the fake tickets were advertised online and sold for hundreds of dollars each by three intermediaries: Bruno Lisa and Matthew Hamilton of Manhattan and Andy Quezada of the Bronx.

Authorities found forgery devices and ledgers with detailed records of the sales in Chestnut's and Watts' homes, prosecutors said. More than 100 forged tickets were also taken from the defendants' apartments, prosecutors said.

The alleged scammers face several charges including conspiracy, scheme to defraud and possession of a forged instrument.

Chestnut and Watts are charged with the most crimes, including 54 and 76 counts of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, respectively.

(Lead image: Photo by Gary Glaser/Shutterstock)