Hockey Nova Scotia and a local hockey association near Halifax have issued a warning regarding a fraudulent tournament scheme targeting regional teams. According to a statement shared on social media by Hockey Nova Scotia, the deceptive invitations to existing tournaments appear authentic, utilizing association names, logos, tournament-related email addresses, and legitimate registration forms. The Chebucto Minor Hockey Association revealed that another association located outside Halifax fell victim to this scam over the past weekend.
Bryan Esbaugh, the president of the Chebucto Minor Hockey Association, recounted an incident where they were contacted by a group inquiring about registration for the Kyle Henneberry Memorial Tournament, suspecting it might be a fraudulent transaction. Investigations revealed that their tournament had been impersonated by scammers, a scenario similar to occurrences reported elsewhere in the country, as highlighted by a recent cautionary advisory from Hockey Alberta.
Esbaugh emphasized the ease with which scammers can access email details of key personnel from hockey association websites, allowing them to replicate websites, create fake email addresses, and initiate phishing campaigns targeting teams for registration in established tournaments. The Chebucto Minor Hockey Association president cautioned that registration fees for such tournaments typically range from $800 to $2,000, emphasizing the risk of teams unknowingly making travel arrangements assuming they are registered, only to discover later that they have not secured a spot.
While it remains uncertain if the affected association managed to recover their funds, Esbaugh confirmed that his association publicized the incident to raise awareness within the community. Hockey Nova Scotia advised teams to refer to its list of approved tournaments on the official website and to directly contact tournament organizers using the provided email addresses to avoid falling prey to such scams. Esbaugh stressed the importance of verifying tournament details with organizers and directors before proceeding with registration.
In response to these fraudulent activities, local hockey organizations are taking proactive measures to safeguard teams from potential financial losses and disruptions to their tournament plans.