A man who allegedly defrauded as many as 400 people by selling tickets to a bogus music concert has been arrested in Hawaii after ticket buyers tracked him down, San Diego authorities said. Bogus concert
ticket-seller nailed hereBy Star-Bulletin staff
Alejo Conate was found on Oahu after his alleged victims found him and tipped off police.
"We're in the process of extraditing him back," said San Diego police Detective James Borg.
Conate is suspected of setting up a phony Web site with bogus e-mails from Icelandic singer Bjork to dupe a legitimate promoter into believing he could bring the musician to a San Diego nightclub.
Conate then sold realistic-looking tickets to Bjork fans at $40 apiece.
After fans realized the Bjork appearance in San Diego was a scam, both police and fans started searching for Conate.
"People kind of went into an outrage over this," said Greg Horton, manager of the Off the Record music shop, who also bought a pair of the tickets.
Conate's photograph was posted on the music promoter's Web site and it urged anyone who had seen him to contact the site or the San Diego club.
"They have a communication system that rivals the CIA," Borg said.
Authorities said Conate was in Hawaii allegedly boasting of concert promotions in California. Oahu police records show Conate was arrested as Alex Miguel Conate on Wednesday and waived extradition.