Morgan Wallen tickets. Meet-and-greets. University of Michigan game tickets. Signed memorabilia—it’s all at the center of what dozens of people are calling an elaborate scam.
The man behind a well-known Michigan Wolverines football tailgate group is facing serious allegations.
John Klein, a Plymouth resident who runs a Facebook group called HailGate, is accused of collecting money from customers who say they received little, if not nothing, in return.
More than 600 people have now joined a Facebook group called “HailGate Victims.”
Local 4 spent days verifying claims and pressing Klein for answers.
“We have received nothing”
Mathias Conant was planning to fly in his daughter and granddaughter for the Morgan Wallen concert at Michigan Stadium this weekend.
He purchased four tickets, a meet-and-greet, a signed guitar and tailgate wristbands — all through Klein.
“We gave him about $3,200 bucks, and we have received nothing,” Conant said. “For the last few weeks, it’s been tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow.”
Conant said he bought two tickets last fall and later added two more.
Conant said Klein then reached out personally, asking if he would be interested in a meet-and-greet and a signed guitar from Wallen.
Conant said yes — and sent him the money.
He said he trusted Klein because of the HailGate connection.
“We have gone to tailgates there for Michigan games. So thought he was legit and a standup guy,” Conant said.
Less than an hour after his interview with Local 4, Conant said Klein issued a refund — but when Local 4 checked back Tuesday, the money was still listed as “pending.”
“Do you think you are going to get your money back?” Local 4’s Lauren Kostiuk asked. “I don’t expect to see it,” Conant replied.
Community trust exploited, victims say
Chelsea Anderson said she purchased what she believed was a legitimate meet-and-greet package through Klein last fall.
“I thought he’s friends with people I’m friends with. He’s done all these tailgates in Ann Arbor,” Anderson said.
Like many others, Anderson said she was told additional details would be provided closer to the concert date. Those details never came.
When she finally reached out directly to Klein asking for more information, she said he told her she didn’t have a meet-and-greet. She then sent him proof of her Venmo payment.
When she posted her concerns inside the HailGate Facebook group, she said her comments were deleted, and she was kicked out of the group entirely. Many other victims report the same experience.
Anderson said she finally received her refund Tuesday, but no apology from Klein.
“It’s not just some internet scammer that doesn’t live around you; he’s involved in our community,” Anderson said.
What Klein was selling
In November, he posted a raffle for a meet-and-greet. In December, he promoted what he called a “Kissing Babies and Taking Pics” package — $125 per person. He also promoted a full-hour meet-and-greet that included merchandise, drinks and photos for $1,500 for two people.
A website that Local 4 found separately offered maize-and-blue Wallen jerseys with signatures for $115.
There’s one major problem with all of it: Ticketmaster’s official listing for Wallen’s concerts explicitly states, “Wallen does not participate in any VIP activities. Packages do not include a Meet & Greet or Photograph with Morgan Wallen.”
A source close to the concert also told Local 4 the meet-and-greet offers were not legitimate.
When Kostiuk asked Klein about Ticketmaster’s, he pushed back — insisting Wallen had done meet-and-greets in Las Vegas and Indianapolis and that he had photos to prove it.
“He does it all the time. It is incorrect information. They don’t want you asking about meet-and-greets,” Klein told Kostiuk over the phone Monday.
Kostiuk pressed Klein on whether his customers would receive what they had paid for.
“On Friday and Saturday, you are telling me, people are going to get their tickets. People are going to get these meet-and-greets, people are going to get signed guitars. Everyone is going to be good to go? And get what they paid for?” Kostiuk asked.
“Correct,” Klein replied.
Local 4 called Klein again on Wednesday, but he did not answer.
Cease-and-desist, prior record
On July 17, attorneys representing Wallen sent Klein and HailGate a cease-and-desist letter, demanding he immediately stop advertising and selling anything related to Wallen.
That includes tickets, meet-and-greets and merchandise.
They also said he must issue full refunds to affected customers.
“Failure to comply will result in our client pursuing all available legal remedies without further notice,” the letter read.
The letter also required Klein to provide written assurances of compliance and documentation of corrective actions by July 20, 2026.
Local 4 reached out to the law firm that sent the letter but had not heard back as of Wednesday (July 22).
“Although we do not admit any liability, wrongdoing, or violation of any law or agreement, we have chosen to voluntarily remove the affected listing while we review the matter,” Klein wrote on Facebook. “We are offering a full refund to any customers impacted by these charges.”
As of Tuesday, no criminal investigation into the recent allegations had been opened.
However, Plymouth Township police have received multiple complaints.
Because HailGate is registered in Plymouth Township, people who believe they’ve been scammed are asked to file a report with Plymouth Township police.
Court records show Klein has prior criminal convictions, including using false pretenses to defraud someone and felony identity theft.
Multiple small claims filings against him have also been found in court records.
Michigan Athletics weighs in
Michigan Athletics spokesperson David Ablauf said the university has never had a business relationship with Klein and confirmed prior issues involving current and former student-athletes.
“Before last football season, we were made aware of some issues by parents within the football program, who dealt with him from an NIL standpoint, as well as former student-athletes who had issues with Klein,” Ablauf said. “On multiple occasions, our licensing agency has sent Klein cease-and-desist letters regarding unlicensed merchandise that he was selling.”
What’s next
As of Wednesday, the story continues to evolve.
Some say they’ve received what appear to be valid tickets.
Others say they’ve disputed charges with their bank—some report receiving full refunds.
Local 4 has submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to Plymouth Township Police for all reports related to Klein.
Wallen is set to headline two shows at the Big House — Friday and Saturday nights.
Local 4 cannot verify every single claim but has reviewed payment confirmations and message threads from multiple people.