California Rodeo Scams Alert
The well-known Clovis Rodeo in California is facing a wave of fraudulent schemes, prompting organizers to caution vendors and participants against falling victim.
On Tuesday, the Clovis Rodeo Organizer highlighted issues regarding online scams, particularly those spreading through social media and direct messages.
The Clovis Rodeo Association shared a suspicious, seemingly AI-generated poster urging food vendors to join the event scheduled for April 22 to 26. The poster claimed they were seeking street food, gourmet artisan food, and specialty drink vendors from all over, with a participation fee of $155 each night.
However, this information is entirely false.
The association explicitly stated, “Please note: This is not legal.” They clarified that they are not currently recruiting food truck vendors, emphasizing that all participating vendors are nonprofit organizations working directly with the association.
Alejandro Espinoza, who owns the Mexican restaurant Garrafa, was one of the targets of this scam. He recounted receiving an email titled “Official Invitation: Food Partnership!” from a suspicious address, promising him the best spot at the rodeo.
“Initially, I thought, ‘Wow, this is a fantastic opportunity!’” Espinoza recalled. But as soon as he was asked for payment, he started to feel uneasy. The scam demanded payment through platforms like Zelle, CashApp, PayPal, or Chime.
“When they requested those payment methods, I thought, ‘This isn’t quite right,’” he added.
Rodeo Association President Danny Swenson mentioned that, particularly in today’s landscape where AI is prevalent, it’s crucial for people to become more adept at recognizing scams, especially when it comes to unusual payment requests.
Swenson urged caution, advising that individuals should be wary and protect their personal information. He also noted that the fraudulent activities extend beyond food vendors; tickets are being purchased and resold at inflated prices. For the best experience, people should acquire tickets directly from the rodeo’s official website.
The association reinforced the importance of referring solely to their website for reliable information and encouraged direct contact with organizers for any inquiries.
