Bay Village Man Sentenced for $420,000 Ticket Fraud

Bay Village, OH – A brazen scheme involving the fraudulent purchase of over $420,000 worth of concert and event tickets has resulted in a Bay Village man receiving more than six years in federal prison. Daniel Mercede, 29, pleaded guilty to bank fraud, access device fraud, and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business.

Mercede’s deception spanned across the nation, with his illegal activities reaching cities like Baltimore, Buffalo, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Seattle, St. Louis, and Washington D.C. He used stolen credit card information to purchase tickets from ScoreBig and resold them on StubHub, pocketing proceeds through checks or PayPal.

The 29-year-old’s greed-driven campaign netted him over $424,222 in fraudulent proceeds between 2014 and 2023, according to court documents. His personal expenditures included luxury cars, jewelry, and exotic vacations.

“Mr. Mercede was motivated solely by greed,” said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja. “He has demonstrated himself as a serial scammer and identity thief who poses an economic threat to the community.”

FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony noted, “Mercede left a trail of financial destruction with his numerous unlawful schemes. The FBI remains committed to ensuring fraudsters face justice.”

Frank S. Turner II, Acting Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation, emphasized the agency’s dedication to holding individuals accountable for similar crimes. Detective Sergeant Andy Capwill of Chagrin Falls Police received praise for his role in investigating and securing Mercede’s conviction.

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