Utah Resorts Targeted in Multi-Year, Multi-Million-Dollar Ski Pass Scam
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A scheme that spanned nearly four years and cost millions of dollars came to a head this week as one of the co-conspirators pleaded guilty in federal court. Jamilla Greene, 34, of South Carolina, admitted to conspiracy to commit wire fraud after operating a massive scam that focused on fraudulently selling "discounted" ski and snowboard passes across Utah resorts.
This kind of criminal activity has a significant impact. U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah emphasized that this "multi-year, multimillion-dollar scheme not only victimized Utah ski resorts, skiers and snowboarders, and individuals whose bank card information was stolen, but could impact the trust of snow enthusiasts who seek passes annually to visit our resorts". Therefore, protecting the integrity of the pass system is paramount for the winter sports community.
How the Fraudulent Operation Worked
The scheme, which ran from November 2020 through May 2024, utilized targeted online postings near ski resort areas in Utah to advertise heavily "discounted" passes. This is a common tactic.
Here is a breakdown of the fraudulent process:
- The Lure: The suspect would communicate online or via text with interested buyers, collecting their personal information (names and addresses) to "purchase" the passes.
- The Theft: Critically, Greene and her co-conspirators did not use the buyer's payment. Instead, they used stolen bank card information to purchase the Ikon, Epic, or individual resort passes at full price.
- The Payment: The buyers of the fraudulent passes then paid the "discounted" price using electronic platforms like Venmo, PayPal, Zelle, and Apple Pay, with the money being deposited directly into the conspirators' accounts.
Consequently, when the legitimate bank card holders reported the fraudulent charges, the resorts were notified and the fraudulently purchased passes were subsequently cancelled and revoked. Ultimately, victims in this complex scam included the cardholders, the credit card companies, the ski resorts, and the individuals who thought they were scoring a deal.
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The Impact on the Mountain Community
Utah resorts like Brighton, which noticed a high number of credit card chargebacks in 2023, were key to uncovering this operation. The investigation, one of the largest fraud cases the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office has tackled since reinstating its law enforcement bureau, highlights the severity of the offense. This kind of deception undermines the system that supports our ability to access the mountains we love.
This case serves as a stark reminder for snow enthusiasts to exercise caution and purchase their lift access only through authorized channels. If a deal seems too good to be true, it almost certainly is.
Greene is scheduled for sentencing in February 2026 in Salt Lake City. Meanwhile, the investigation into her co-conspirators is continuing.
