What was supposed to be a milestone celebration at Soldier Field instead turned into a very pricey no-show, according to one Chicago family that says it is now out roughly $15,000.
Jason Valdez says he bought a game ticket and tailgate bundle for about 30 relatives through a company called M&M Events and Promotions. On game day, the family says they were told the organizer was in the hospital, and their plans quickly unraveled. Of the 29 people who paid in, the family says only two have received refunds so far, and they now believe they were sold tickets that never existed.
According to CBS Chicago, the seller has been identified as Maysoon Nasir, and the Valdez family has filed a complaint with the Illinois Attorney General's office. The outing was meant to mark a big moment for Jason Valdez's 75-year-old grandfather, who recently celebrated being cancer-free. Family members told reporters they are speaking out so others will think twice before wiring large sums for group packages from sellers they have not vetted.
Pattern Of Complaints At M&M Events
The Better Business Bureau profile for M&M Events and Promotions lists multiple consumer complaints, including nine filed in the last three years, many of them alleging canceled trips and withheld refunds, according to the Better Business Bureau. Several people who filed complaints say they were offered “refund credits” instead of cash, a pattern that echoes what the Valdez family says it has experienced.
Past Criminal Allegations
Local reporting in 2023 detailed separate allegations that Nasir posed as a travel agent, collected thousands of dollars for vacations that were never booked, and was arrested on related charges; that earlier case is still pending, according to Patch. People in that case also described disputes over promised refunds and missing reservations, and police said identity theft and theft-by-deception allegations were part of the investigation.
Nasir has denied scamming the Valdez family, telling reporters, “I've never scammed them. I've talked to them,” and saying she agreed to refund the group while noting that bank charge disputes can take time to process. The Valdez family says only two refunds have appeared so far, and that they do not expect to see most of the money again. They say they hope their story serves as a warning before anyone else hands over group money to the same promoter.
What To Do If You Paid
If you or someone you know paid a third party and never got the tickets or travel services you were promised, consumer advocates say to treat it like a paper trail emergency. Save receipts, text messages, emails and screenshots, then contact your bank or card issuer as soon as possible to open a dispute.
You can also file a consumer complaint with the Illinois Attorney General's office, which accepts online submissions and may offer mediation in some fraud cases. For filing details, visit the Illinois Attorney General.
