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As Bears Surge, So Do Ticket Scams

CHICAGO (CBS) -- If you're a Bears fan, you may be a target.

The team confirms counterfeit tickets are a growing problem as the Bears surge this season.

CBS 2's Brad Edwards reports on one victim's complaint.

"Bears / Texans – all the way," Andy Nguyen said.

That was the plan for the Houstonian, who flew in to Midway Friday afternoon.  However, he and his three friends are ticketless after falling victim to high-grade counterfeiting scheme on Craigslist.

"I'm one of those guys who researches everything before he buys something, anyway," Nguyen says.

He thought he did his due diligence, but he was wrong.  He became suspicious and when he sent an email to the seller from another address and the person agreed to sell -- again.  He contacted CBS 2, which reached out to Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart's office.

Now, William Howard is in the Cook County Jail after being nabbed by the sheriff's Vice Unit on Thursday.

"As the team continues to perform, the demand is high and people take advantage of the fan base," says an unsurprised Scott Hagel, Bears vice president of communications.

Hagel says the old reputable sites are Ticketmaster and NFL Ticket Exchange.

William Howard, a 44-time arrestee, was expected in bond court Saturday.

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