An Ontario couple has pleaded guilty in connection with a fake Taylor Swift Eras Tour ticket scheme that defrauded more than 100 victims across Southern Ontario.
Denise Tisor and her common-law partner, David Blake, entered guilty pleas in a Milton court to one count each of defrauding the public after victims paid more than $265,000 for tickets that never materialized.
107 Victims Lost More Than $265,000
According to the agreed statement of facts, 107 people purchased what they believed were Taylor Swift tickets from Tisor between August 2023 and November 2024.
The total amount paid by victims reached $265,330. Many buyers were from Southern Ontario and trusted Tisor because they knew her personally or recognized her within the community.
Victims Believed the Tickets Were Real
Several victims said they felt confident buying from Tisor because she had successfully delivered tickets for other events in the past.
Some families even gave the tickets to their children as Christmas presents, believing they would attend Swift’s sold-out shows at Rogers Centre in Toronto. But as the concert dates approached in November 2024, the promised tickets did not arrive.
Tammy Allen Reacts to Guilty Pleas
One of the victims, Tammy Allen, said hearing Tisor plead guilty was painful because many families had been deeply affected.
Allen had purchased tickets from Tisor and said the situation was especially difficult because she still sees Tisor in the community. She said her children play lacrosse in the same organization as Tisor’s children, making the aftermath even more uncomfortable.
Tisor Previously Claimed a Third Party Took the Money
When CTV News first contacted Tisor in November 2024, she claimed that the money had been stolen from her by a third party.
However, court documents now state there was no third-party fraud. Instead, the agreed facts say both Tisor and Blake knew they were defrauding victims.
Ticket Money Used for Online Gambling
Court documents revealed that a major portion of the ticket money was used for gambling.
Between July 1, 2023, and November 28, 2024, Tisor and Blake used $139,144 of the funds to place online gambling bets across multiple platforms.
Hundreds of Cash Withdrawals Made
The agreed statement of facts also said the couple made about 350 ATM withdrawals during the same period.
Those withdrawals totalled more than $297,000, raising further questions about where the victims’ money went.
Tisor Used the Name Denise Blakhawk Online
Tisor used the online name Denise Blakhawk.
A Facebook post from an account using the name Blakhawk Denise later apologized publicly, saying Tisor had been dealing with a serious gambling addiction that took over her life. In the post, she said addiction controlled her thinking and that she now recognizes the pain her actions caused.
Victim Says Addiction Does Not Excuse Choices
Allen said she can understand that addiction may be difficult, but she cannot excuse the choices made to support it.
She said the hardest part is seeing someone accused of taking from so many families continue to appear in community spaces where victims and their children should feel safe and comfortable.
Earlier Police Charges Expanded Over Time
Police began investigating complaints after victims reported fake or undelivered Taylor Swift tickets connected to the Facebook profile name Denise Blackhawk.
Earlier in the case, Halton police said they had confirmed 55 fraud incidents involving about $140,000 in losses, while Toronto police had previously linked Tisor and Blake to nearly $70,000 in fraudulent ticket sales involving 28 victims.
Case Moved Toward Guilty Pleas
Tisor and Blake had been scheduled for a plea appearance earlier in 2026, but the matter was delayed when Tisor was unable to attend court for medical reasons.
A later court date was set for July 15, when both entered guilty pleas in the Milton case.
Impact on Families and Community Trust
The scam caused more than financial harm.
Many victims had planned the tickets as once-in-a-lifetime experiences for their children, especially because Swift’s Toronto Eras Tour shows were sold out and highly difficult to access. The case also damaged trust within the community because many buyers believed they were dealing with someone familiar and reliable.
Sentencing Still Ahead
The guilty pleas mark a major step in the criminal case, but sentencing has not yet been completed.
Victims are now waiting to see what penalty the court will impose and whether restitution will form part of the outcome.
The guilty pleas from Denise Tisor and David Blake bring some accountability in a Taylor Swift ticket scam that affected 107 victims and involved more than $265,000 in losses.
Court documents show that money meant for concert tickets was instead used partly for online gambling and large cash withdrawals.
For many families, the damage goes beyond money, as children lost the chance to attend a highly anticipated concert and community trust was badly shaken. The case now moves toward sentencing, where victims will be watching closely for justice and possible restitution.