Billy McFarland's VIP Pass Scam (Post-Fyre)
The Story
While out on bail for the Fyre Festival fraud, Billy McFarland launched a new scheme. He sold fake VIP passes to exclusive events like the Met Gala, Coachella, and the Burning Man festival. He fabricated documents and used fake company names to trick buyers into believing they were purchasing legitimate access. He continued this scam from his Manhattan apartment, even while under house arrest.
🚩 Red Flags
- Perpetrator was already a convicted felon on bail
- Too-good-to-be-true access to sold-out events
- Payment to personal accounts or obscure LLCs
- Lack of official confirmation or tickets
- Pressure to act quickly due to 'limited availability'
⚖️ The Fallout
McFarland was caught, his bail revoked, and he was sentenced to an additional 4 years in federal prison on top of his 6-year sentence for Fyre Festival.
📚 Lessons Learned
Some scammers are compulsively unable to stop. Always verify the legitimacy of the seller, especially for high-demand events.
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