ORLANDO, Fla. -- Police busted a major fake ticket scheme, one that ripped off dozens of people who wanted to spend a day at local theme parks at a bargain price.

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The deals often seem too good to be true and police say that's exactly the case for some theme park passes sold at a discount.

Visitors like Keith Gouldstone and family are prime targets for a quick money scheme in Central Florida. It involves reselling used multi-day passes, with a day or two left, at discounted prices.

But, it's fraud. Some buyers know that it's against the law, but others are never told.

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"These people have come out here, these lowlifes, and are taking advantage of them, you know," says Gouldstone.

Tuesday, business owner Yahia Maswadeh was arrested for grand theft for reselling theme park tickets. Undercover officers busted his operation inside of a Country Inn near International Drive and seized $11,000 worth of tickets.

"We see families sometimes spend $1,500, $2,000 getting themselves set up with tickets only to show up somewhere and not be able to get in," explains Officer Tom Beeson, Orlando Police Department.

Police say this is a predatory scam that feeds off of both unknowing tourists and visitors trying to get something for nothing. Some are offered money to bring back used tickets.

"We've had people tell us, 'If security stops you, make sure you tell them that you're this person because I'm giving you a real good deal. Don't tell them who you really are or where you got the ticket from,'" comments Beeson.

Police say this market has a huge appeal for those looking for easy money and will only end with more awareness.

"It can yield almost as much profit as selling drugs, but the penalties are nowhere near as stiff," says Beeson.

Police say if you are ever asked to provide an out of state license or to prove you are a registered guest in a hotel you may want to shop elsewhere for tickets, because even having those tickets in your hands is illegal.