Henry A. had been trying for weeks to score a ticket to see Tyler, the Creator in Dallas. Even without a confirmed seat, he headed to the venue hoping for a miracle. And that’s when the message came in—someone nearby claimed to have extra tickets.
The seller said he was just outside too. The price? Reasonable enough. The tone? Casual and confident. All Henry had to do was send half the money to hold the tickets.
Minutes later, he sent the full $280.
“I was already in line—excited, hopeful, and just trying to get in. That made me an easy target.”
Scams like Henry’s are becoming more common—especially around live events. That’s why McAfee’s Scam Detector is built to flag shady behavior before it costs you.
If Henry had McAfee’s Scam Detector, here’s how it could’ve helped:
Message Pattern Detection: The sudden change in payment terms, pressure to act quickly, and emotional manipulation could have been flagged using AI that detects suspicious language.
Link and Account Scanning: If the seller sent a payment link or sketchy profile, Scam Detector’s Quick Check could’ve flagged it as risky on the spot.
Social Media Scam Awareness: McAfee tracks scam trends—including the rise in concert and event-related fraud—and helps users recognize the red flags before they engage.
Thank you, Henry, for sharing your story! Scammers win when we stay silent. It’s time to speak up — and Keep It Real.
Visit www.mcafee.com/en-us/scam-stories to learn more about scams and share your scam story.
