this is like eBay for event tickets?

While I think it stinks that you got swindled, I don't know how much luck you are going to have getting them to cough up your money from this.

I hope that you paid with a credit card and not cash - you could try disputing the charge with your CC co. on the basis of fraud (they didn't deliver what they advertised to you).

You might also consider notifying the legal department in the city this company lists themselves to be located in.

I know in Cleveland, there are stringent rules (rarely enforced, but strongly worded) outlining how, when and where people can "resell" event tickets. They may be violating the law by selling the tickets at such an inflated markup online.

Bottom line, you learned a VERY expensive lesson and regardless of how important you think you are, bad luck can happen to anyone.

Next time, use more common sense.