Zags beat Dons, but eight fans lose to ticket scam Monday night

Eight Gonzaga fans were stung by a Craigslist ticket scam for the Monday night men’s basketball game.

Spokane police are investigating, and department spokeswoman Monique Cotton said the fraud should serve as a familiar cautionary tale: “People should not buy tickets from Craigslist.”

The ticket scam began Dec. 18 when a Bulldog Club member bought a $40 ticket in the student section using a special code provided by the Gonzaga ticket office, said Kris Kassel, associate athletic director at Gonzaga. The coveted ticket was available because students are away on Christmas break.

Someone downloaded and printed the ticket, which was then copied multiple times. The copies for the one seat were offered on Craigslist where at least eight fans called the seller, met him and exchanged cash for the tickets in hopes of watching the Zags beat the University of San Francisco Dons.

When the fans tried to enter the McCarthey Athletic Center, the barcoded tickets were rejected and the fraud was detected, Kassel said.

“It’s really unfortunate for these folks,” Kassel said.

Police are interviewing the buyers of the fake tickets, who have provided a description of the man who sold them the copies.

Last year a man selling fake tickets to several Zags games was arrested by police.

The Zags beat USF 69-41.