RCMP Alert: Fake Craft Fair Booking Scam in Fort Saskatchewan

Fort Saskatchewan RCMP are warning residents and vendors about a fraudulent event booking for a supposed multi-day craft fair at the Dow Centennial Centre in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. The advertised 3-day event, called “The Northern Prairie Craft, Food & Vendor Fair,” was promoted online and included a link for vendors to reserve tables.

Police have confirmed that this event was never actually booked at the facility, and that at least one vendor lost money after paying for a table through an Eventbrite link connected to the scam post. Anyone who may have interacted with this listing or paid fees for a table is urged to review their accounts, secure their financial information, and report any suspected fraud.

Official Details of the Scam Event

Based on the information released by Fort Saskatchewan RCMP, the fraudulent event involved the following key details:

• A fake event titled “The Northern Prairie Craft, Food & Vendor Fair” was advertised as a 3-day craft fair.
• The event was falsely promoted as taking place at the Dow Centennial Centre in Fort Saskatchewan, AB.
• The scam listing indicated dates of Friday, June 26 – Sunday, June 28 (year not specified in the release).
• Event organizers and victims were directed to an Eventbrite link to secure vendor tables.
• At least one vendor was defrauded after paying through this link for a table that did not actually exist.
• Verification with the booking facility confirmed that no such craft fair had been scheduled.

The RCMP have not released suspect names, descriptions, or additional investigative details at this time, nor have they requested specific public assistance beyond standard fraud reporting.

What To Do If You Suspect a Scam or Have Been Defrauded

Residents, vendors, and organizers in Fort Saskatchewan and across Alberta who encounter suspicious event listings or payment requests should take the following steps:

• Contact the venue directly (such as the Dow Centennial Centre) to confirm that an event is legitimately booked before paying any vendor fees.
• If you think you are being targeted by a scam, review guidance on common fraud types on the Government of Canada’s official website.
• If you have already paid money or shared sensitive information, immediately inform your bank and credit card company to monitor for unauthorized transactions and to secure your accounts.
• Report suspected or confirmed fraud to your local law enforcement detachment.
• Submit a report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at www.antifraudcentre.ca or by calling 1-888-495-8501.

For those living or doing business in the area, reviewing local crime patterns can also help you understand broader risks. CrimeCanada.ca maintains detailed Fort Saskatchewan crime statistics and safety data to support better-informed decisions about personal and business security.

CrimeCanada.ca Community Safety Perspective

From the perspective of CrimeCanada.ca, online booking scams like this pose a particular risk to small businesses, artisans, and community vendors who rely on markets and fairs for income. A single fraudulent listing can result in multiple victims and may erode trust in legitimate local events. By closely following community safety alerts and fraud advisories, residents and vendors across Alberta can reduce their exposure to financial crime, verify event legitimacy, and respond quickly if something feels wrong. We encourage everyone to double-check event details with venues, be cautious about online payment links, and promptly report suspicious activity so that law enforcement and the broader community can respond effectively.

Official Source & Community Safety

This safety alert is based on an official release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). CrimeCanada.ca aggregates and analyzes this data to keep the alberta community informed, aware, and safe. We are an independent safety data aggregator and not the original creators of the underlying incident report.

Read the full official release here: RCMP Official Statement.