Saskatoon Police Warn of Festival Impersonation Scam

Saskatoon police are warning vendors about scammers who pose as organizers of real small festivals and tradeshows to collect application fees.

The Saskatoon Police Service Economic Crime Section issued the public advisory on Oct. 2. According to the release, the fraudsters contact people who might want to sell at an event and invite them to register. Vendors who pay the fee lose their money to the scammers, not to the event.

The release does not name any festival or tradeshow. It does not say how many people have been targeted or how much has been lost.

The Economic Crime Section tells vendors to treat any website, social media page or email tied to an event as possibly fake. Before paying, contact the organizers by a different route than the one used to reach you. Confirm the money transfer details independently as well. Anyone who finds a misleading or fraudulent web page should report it to the event’s hosts.

Anyone who spots a questionable ad but was not victimized should report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

Anyone who has been defrauded should contact their local police or call the Saskatoon Police Service at 306-975-8300. For emergencies, dial 9-1-1.