An Ontario couple who pleaded guilty in a scheme that took about $265,000 from music fans will be sentenced on Oct. 6, 2026, court records show.
Details of the scheme and charges
Denise Tisor and her common‑law partner, David Blake, admitted their roles in a fraud centred on tickets to one of Taylor Swift’s sold‑out November 2024 concerts in Toronto. An agreed statement of facts filed in court says 107 people bought tickets from Tisor for one of Swift’s six shows that month.
Tisor pleaded guilty to one count of defrauding the public. Blake pleaded guilty to one count of possession of property obtained by crime in connection with the same fraud.
How victims were affected
Court documents indicate some victims purchased tickets as far back as August 2023. Many said they had planned to give the sought‑after passes as Christmas gifts in 2024. Police and the court record show victims were told their tickets would not be available until a few days before the concert; when the concerts arrived, the tickets could not be accessed.
When buyers asked for refunds, they were told a third party had stolen the funds. The documents say there was no third party involved, and that Tisor and Blake were aware they were defrauding customers.
Money trail: gambling and withdrawals
The agreed facts before the court describe how the proceeds of the fraud were spent. The pair transferred funds to online gambling platforms between 2023 and 2024, and conducted numerous cash withdrawals.
| Item | Reported amount |
|---|---|
| Alleged fraud losses | $265,000 |
| ATM cash withdrawals | $297,000 across ~350 withdrawals |
| Number of victims | 107 |
Admission and explanation
Online, Tisor used the name "Blackhawk Denise." She apologised in court and acknowledged she was dealing with a serious gambling addiction at the time the offences occurred, according to court filings.
- Offence period: purchases and gambling activity between 2023 and 2024.
- Concerts involved: one of six sold‑out Taylor Swift shows in Toronto, November 2024.
- Sentencing date: Oct. 6, 2026.
Local impact and wider implications
The case underscores risks for consumers buying highly sought tickets from individual sellers. While ticket‑resale markets and third‑party platforms exist to support legitimate exchanges, prosecutors and consumer advocates frequently warn that private sales can carry higher fraud risk if payments are made in advance without secure transfer methods or verifiable delivery guarantees.
Victims in this matter included parents purchasing gifts for children and fans planning months in advance to attend a high‑profile event. The financial and emotional impact for those affected can be significant: beyond lost money, buyers faced disappointment and missed opportunities to purchase legitimate tickets before shows sold out.
Practical steps for buyers
While this report is based on court documents and the couple’s admissions, it also highlights practical safeguards for anyone buying event tickets:
- Use official ticketing vendors or authorised resale channels when possible.
- Confirm that a seller actually possesses the tickets before transferring funds.
- Prefer payment methods that offer fraud protection or recourse, such as credit cards or verified payment platforms.
- Keep records of all communications and receipts in case a transaction becomes disputed.
Tisor and Blake appeared in a Milton courtroom when they entered their guilty pleas in July 2026. Sentencing next month will determine their penalties after the Crown and defence make submissions about the seriousness of the offences, the impact on victims and the personal circumstances the court must consider.
The scale of alleged withdrawals and the admission of online gambling use are likely to be factors in sentencing. The court file does not indicate the specific sentence being sought by the Crown or the defence. Victim compensation and restitution may also be addressed at the sentencing hearing.
This case is a reminder of the potential harms that can follow seemingly routine online transactions and the importance of vigilance when buying tickets for high‑demand events.
