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Counterfeit tickets create issues for Panthers fans

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers are warning Carolina Panthers fans about hundreds of counterfeit tickets seized at home football games.

Officers said scalpers are using counterfeit money to buy real tickets and using sophisticated printing equipment to sell fake tickets.

"They look so real, they're very convincing," said Major Eddie Levins.

Levins said it's nearly impossible for police to track the originator of the fake tickets once the fan reaches the gate and is turned away.

He said the safest option is for fans to purchase tickets from people they know.

"People get taken and they don't like it and they get upset," Levins said.

Panthers' officials are joining in the warning to the public, telling Eyewitness News the counterfeit ticket issue has created problems for workers at the security checkpoints.

They are urging fans to use Ticketmaster or the Panthers' website to purchase tickets.